After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution 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 industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, 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 deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think 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 every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.