Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

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

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep 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 season.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in traitor attire 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 vote for a person so loveable?" asked another celebrity.

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

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

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm 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 England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

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

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

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, 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.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward 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, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. And we will miss it.