Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, fellow players explained the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.