Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian 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 was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

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

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

True to form, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

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 "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought 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 roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene 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 sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.