After multiple episodes of tension, schemes and backstabbing, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from The Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player 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 "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited some moments 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 this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up portraits of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise beforehand, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated a player, while their partner simply laughed.

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

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

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

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