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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian 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 a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

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

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. 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 music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward 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, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.