Following weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down 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.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion 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, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.