Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.