Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, 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 comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies 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 noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like 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. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.