After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected 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," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's 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 thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure 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 appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain 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 equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.