Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might 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," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on 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 style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

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

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to 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 "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.