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

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

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

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.