After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images 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, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner 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, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.