Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody 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. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us 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. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

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

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, 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 the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.