After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

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

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

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

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.