Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale
Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.
However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.
From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.
Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.
In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.
"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."
"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."
Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.
"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."
The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.
Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.
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 keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."
During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.
"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.
"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.
Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.
"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work again!"
Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.
Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped 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 began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."
Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.
Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.
Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.
However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.
Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.
This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.
Soon after, it was time 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 throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.
However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.
The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."
Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.
"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said an observer.
"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.
However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.
The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, 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.
"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.
Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.
One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.
For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.
Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.
"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.
And he even made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.
"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.
The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. It will be remembered fondly.
