Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

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

Soon, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said 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!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, 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 looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over 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, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.