After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would work a second time!"

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from 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.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by reaching over 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 famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.