After weeks of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed 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 first celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing 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 this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable 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 breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. 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 another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted 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.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

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

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

Before long, the moment arrived 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," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership 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 partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's 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. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.