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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

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

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to 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.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, 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.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing 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 did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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 betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.