After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "It's all right."

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

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

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

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

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

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted another user.

But there was no time to dwell on this departure. Soon, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, 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.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

"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 seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.