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

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From 19 contestants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Social media 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 someone else described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive the entire winnings, with the final pot reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

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

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

"I want to participate once more... I don't think it would work a second time!"

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. There was an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity knew who'd make it at the breakfast table.

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

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

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "way more stressful than playing for England", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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 - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task involved ripping up images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors 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 simply laughed.

However, one adhered to his promise. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, 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. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and viewers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was painfully banished - following a surprising decision from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it will be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they said.

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

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

And he even joked about the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the final scene and making contact.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. It will be remembered fondly.