After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep 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.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.