After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, 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.

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

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

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

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

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

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else 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 castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

But there was no time 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.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.