Following weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to 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.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought 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.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

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

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.