After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, 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 season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, 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 someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

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

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at 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 an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant 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," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also 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.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.