Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.