After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

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

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £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 shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have come down to breakfast 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 vote for him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work a second time!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in 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 similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.