Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player 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 like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.