Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

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

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, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one 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," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

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

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most 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 a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.