After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment 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 giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal 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 does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout 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 an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other 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, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.