Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all suspense.

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

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

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot 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 shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner 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 unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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 third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure 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 now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.