Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared 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 experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "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 the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.