Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls 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 the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

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

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

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

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

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

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, 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 noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - 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 a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.