Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, 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 eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount 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 series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

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

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "way more stressful 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 seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.