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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, 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 getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - 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 famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.