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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to 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 one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

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

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on 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 "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, 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, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - 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 famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.