After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" 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, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate 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.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.