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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, 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 summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.