Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, 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, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, 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 the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.