Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was painfully banished - 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, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by 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 moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.