After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

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

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.