Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome 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'm an awful human being."

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

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

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

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

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

"Alan could have appeared 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 vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

The final episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he 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 touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.