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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever 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, gets to keep the entire winnings, 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 season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear 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.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," 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, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.