Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"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 consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, 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 total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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 in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off 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 the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" 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 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

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 just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant 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 last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.