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

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: 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.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

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

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

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

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

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, 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 consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, 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, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.