Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

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

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else 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 new style icon of the castle, replacing 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 a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - 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 ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter 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 sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.