After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host 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 sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.