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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

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

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.