Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

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 said.

Happily, 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 now I stand the champion," he said.

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

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.