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

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"He might have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

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

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like 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 remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

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