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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour 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' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

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

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.