Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"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 one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most 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 a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, 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 a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally 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 last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.