Following weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"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, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief 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, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - 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.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.