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

Spoiler alert - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't 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 £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

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

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

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

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"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 a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.