After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls 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 surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief 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 idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward 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, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.