Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

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

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

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

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

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

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

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

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," wrote a different viewer.

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

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, 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 turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend 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 celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.