Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", 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 new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

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

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

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

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

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.