After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants 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 deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.