After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

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

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

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

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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 betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, 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 challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

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

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - 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, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

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

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.