After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

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

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak 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 vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared 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 similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"There's 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. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.