After multiple episodes of suspense, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors conclusion

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that cut through the overwhelming suspense.

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

Out of nineteen participants, only five remained: 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 emerged as the winner, in a shocking outcome that broke the internet and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, my apologies," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

"You played amazingly," they consoled him. "It's all right."

Online platforms immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote 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 all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

The comedian's evolution from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

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

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," one participant said.

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

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his time on the show.

"I want to do it again... I don't think it would be successful again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped key scenes from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

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

"Let's face it, I began this game a bit of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

At the same time, a different player noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than playing for England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants boarding a train named - of course - The Traitors Express.

The challenge saw them destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in 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, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, their partner still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. A truly loveable traitor," said a commentator.

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

But there was no time to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership broke down, just when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and here I am a winner," he said.

He also made light of 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.