Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article 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 tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, 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. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players 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 looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

This task saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.