After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

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

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person 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!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, 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," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

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