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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could 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 does one vote for a person so charming?" 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 episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it 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.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress 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."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.