Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away 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 touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.