Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability 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 idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire 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 can you vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached 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 a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.