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

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

Throughout the season, 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 was revealed.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian provided 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 beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "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 bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.