After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

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

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded 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 a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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 be successful a second time!"

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

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. 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 elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most 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, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. 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 the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.