After weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

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

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

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

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching 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.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for 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 making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter 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, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.