After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, 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 was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.