Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

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

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast 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 vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding 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 on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

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

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure 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 now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - 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 last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.