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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the prize.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," 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, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, 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.

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

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

"He might have appeared to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling 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 maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other just giggled.

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

The last deceiver looked like he was in significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I hoped against this contestant to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

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

Ultimately, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.