After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "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, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around 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 - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

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