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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"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," wrote one user.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, 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. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, 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 during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.