After multiple episodes of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end
Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion
Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.
Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.
From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.
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 made him tearful.
"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."
"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."
Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.
"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."
The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.
Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.
But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.
"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."
On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.
"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.
"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.
Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.
"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"
The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.
Viewers heard 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, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.
"To be honest, I began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."
At the same time, a different player noted 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.
Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.
The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.
But he was out-jacketted 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.
This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.
Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.
Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.
And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.
The remaining traitor appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."
Social media and viewers were similarly upset.
"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.
"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.
But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.
The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.
A player 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 in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.
Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.
A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.
For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.
Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.
"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.
He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.
"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.
The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.
