Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

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

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up 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 a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

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

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered 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 a winner," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"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 seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.