Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," 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 comforted him. "It's all right."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might 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 a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal 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 a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared 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."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

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

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor emerged victorious.

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

Fortunately, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.