Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to only three contenders: the final players.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, 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 season.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could 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," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

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

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. Yet, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

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

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

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

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