Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

However on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - 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 was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.