Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one 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. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like 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 maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned 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 last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.