Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article discloses details from The Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

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

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the final players.

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually a traitor. "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 a viewer.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The thought of him, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt just as probable as him maintaining a straight face through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, fellow players 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 deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

"I'd like to participate once more... I don't think it would work again!"

The final installment was extended to over an hour on the network. It had a different start than usual, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the morning gathering.

There was particularly inspiring, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from every remaining player's experience in the game.

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

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and traitor than I believed."

Meanwhile, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, 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 getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while the other simply laughed.

And one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be eliminated. A truly loveable traitor," commented an observer.

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

But there was no time to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back at the final moment like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the eliminated contestant refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the game. The same decision was made by another, and it all came down to the final participant, who did the same - which meant that the traitor was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where the other players comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for memorable moment at television honors," they commented.

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

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by reaching over the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"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 feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.