After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, 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 deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear 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' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr provided unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players 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 made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward 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 the occasional surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.