Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

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

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

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus 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 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 turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.