Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off 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 went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the other players that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

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

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

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

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

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

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

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, 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.

"To be honest, I started this game as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

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

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, 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 did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene 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 the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.