After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, 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 traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.