Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, 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 comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.