After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "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 £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal 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 vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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 one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he 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, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.