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

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard 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 unforgettable quotes.

"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 beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.