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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, 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 challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.