Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host 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, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.