Following multiple episodes of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast 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 eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion 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 seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity 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 ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

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

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. 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 was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.