Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - 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 cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

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

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

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

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"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 the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.