After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," 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.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, 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 total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs 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 provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted 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.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors 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 the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.