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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

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

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

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

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

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'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.