Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion
Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.
Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.
From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.
Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.
Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and left him emotional.
"It's been tearing me apart, 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. "Everything's fine."
Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.
"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."
The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.
Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.
However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by industry observers.
"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."
During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.
"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.
"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.
The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.
"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"
Thursday evening's episode was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.
Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.
True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.
"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."
At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another 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 fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.
Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.
But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.
Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.
This task involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.
Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.
Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.
However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.
The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."
Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.
"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.
"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.
However, there remained no time to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.
The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.
A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.
"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.
Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.
One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.
For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.
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, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.
And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.
"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.
The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.
