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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

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

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

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

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

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress 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 hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender 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 thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner 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 making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.