After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, 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 left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount 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 left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end 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 emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.