After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, 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, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, 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," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable 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 appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," 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 "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching 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 getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.