Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"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 more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

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

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress 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."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

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

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.