After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The 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 eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "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.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

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

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, 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 significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.