Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

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

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

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

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

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

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.