Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third 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 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, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"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," posted a different viewer.

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

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

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, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion 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 now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.