After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew 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 each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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 made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing 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 an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner 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 remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.