Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

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

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

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants 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," one participant said.

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

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

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

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time 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.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, 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 betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed 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 last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.