Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

From nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet 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 feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

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

"The majority didn't target him because how can you vote for a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

Next up was the competition, with the final players getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who was hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"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 the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

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

"What a rollercoaster. 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 presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.