After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive 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 one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

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

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon 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, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar 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 last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

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

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.