Following multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece reveals details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through all suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Soon, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a shocking result that broke the internet 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'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated 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 £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, executing an expert performance in deceit felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"Most people didn't target him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact beforehand, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

"I hoped against that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented a commentator.

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the final trio.

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did all happen. And we will miss it.