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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

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

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits 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 in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.