After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, 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. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak 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 can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even 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 characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.