Following multiple episodes of tension, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on Thursday night, the final winner of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining composure through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants explained why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in traitor attire and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't target him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "absolutely loved" his time on the program.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would work 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 would appear at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

Carr emerged at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact beforehand, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to their agreement. But, having slipped under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," wrote a different viewer.

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their partner, who turned against them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by another, and everything depended on the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players comforted the champion 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 emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," he said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.