After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, 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."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown 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 "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying 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.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

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

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

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, 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 joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.