After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the show.

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would be successful again!"

Thursday evening's episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host 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 remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved destroying portraits of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to 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 "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, 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 the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally 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 celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.