Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted 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.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.