After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, 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 played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely 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 traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.