After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls 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 winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

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

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £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, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

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

"To be honest, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, 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 made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.