After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, 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. "It's all right."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant'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 images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.