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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

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

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

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

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors 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," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared 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 a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - 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 unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.