After weeks of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.