After multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could 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.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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 usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion 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 in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote another user.

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

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

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.