Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," 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 all the prize money, 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 season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire 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 someone who is so loveable?" 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 again!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

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

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.