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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, 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 did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody 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. 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 charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure 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 a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.