After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

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

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

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

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody 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 a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

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

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.