After weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver 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."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, 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.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"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 joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.