Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

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

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, 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 exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely 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.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers 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 the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

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