After weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "Everything's fine."

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "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."

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

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, executing a masterclass in deception 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 why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque music, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

As ever, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful 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 appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to stick together. "We've come a long way, I won't betray him," stated one, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver looked like he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand the champion," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend 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 trademark giggle.

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.