After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene 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 surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.