After weeks of suspense, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming tension.

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

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "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," wrote a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"He might 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.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

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

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

Fortunately, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.