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

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped 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 final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. 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 moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.