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

Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

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

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

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal 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 does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, 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 eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

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

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. So did another, 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 scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"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 unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.