After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching 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.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - 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.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner 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 the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.