Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting finale

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to just three: the final players.

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

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching 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 left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face 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 appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as we recapped some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

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

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

However, he got out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The last deceiver 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 unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

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

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

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

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - resulting in the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.