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

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result 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 was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had 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 time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated style leader.

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

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination 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."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just 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 at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.