Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually 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 one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate 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 participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

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 simply laughed.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like 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 viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, 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 comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.