After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed eliminations, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful remained: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

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

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so loveable?" asked a different contestant.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

Thursday evening's installment was extended to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got out-jacketted by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a train named - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge involved ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner 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'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," said an observer.

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

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

One contestant 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 in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.