After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.