Following weeks of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses key moments from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Deceivers and faithfuls competing for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened 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, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

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

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants explained why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

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

The final episode was extended to over an hour on the network. There was an unusual opening than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

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

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be attempting 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 patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated a player, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," wrote another user.

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

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

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls their former ally as a traitor.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it could be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

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

"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 joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, scheming and the occasional unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.