Following weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

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

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew 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 experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing 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 equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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 third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.