Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants 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 a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended 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.

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

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up 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 substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

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

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers 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 Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.