After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls 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 quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian 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 under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player 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 lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he 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 making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.