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

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

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 Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

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

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

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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 a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared 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 eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.