After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like 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 unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

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

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.