Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted 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," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed 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 by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.