Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

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

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared 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.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

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

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - 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, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.