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

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

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

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

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

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.