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

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar 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 another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting 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 patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by 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 scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.