Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

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

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted another user.

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

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

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

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

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.