After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win 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 his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

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