After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

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

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

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

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," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver 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."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

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

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

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