After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, 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 emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

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

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

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

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

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

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, 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 stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner 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 was able to enjoy his victory.

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

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.