Spoiler alert - This article reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale
Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.
However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.
Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.
Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.
Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.
"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."
"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."
Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.
"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."
The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.
Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.
But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to industry observers.
"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."
On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.
"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant said.
"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.
Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the show.
"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"
Thursday evening's episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.
Viewers heard some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.
True to form, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.
"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."
Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.
In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.
The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.
However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.
Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.
This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.
Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.
The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.
And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.
The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."
Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.
"I hoped against this contestant to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.
"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.
But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.
The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.
One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.
"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other as a traitor.
Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.
One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.
For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.
Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.
"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am the champion," the winner said.
And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.
"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.
The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.
