After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players 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 a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached 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, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

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

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," 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, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.