Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

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

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

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

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy 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.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four 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 - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did 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 consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally 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 trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.