After weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a thrilling end

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking outcome that went viral and left him emotional.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he exclaimed, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote a different person, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

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

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

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

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

Carr said he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

"I want to do it again... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

The final episode was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had an unusual opening than usual, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players seemed to be making a bid to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. What a look.

Next up was the competition, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them ripping up images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while the other simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

However, there remained no time to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be betrayed at the final moment like that," said the ousted contestant. Subsequently, we learned that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant calls the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. So did another, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally 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 characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, scheming and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.