Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

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

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else 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 eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable 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 appeared 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 vote for him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player 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.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, 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 stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

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

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

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