Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," 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 eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, 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.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.