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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.