Following weeks of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might 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," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard 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.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination 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, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

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

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.