Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

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

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up 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 a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"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 in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive 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 another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.