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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first celebrity edition was revealed.

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

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

Ultimately, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the champion, in a surprising result that went viral and made him tearful.

"This has been destroying me, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

"You did brilliantly," they comforted him. "Everything's fine."

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," commented one user.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," wrote another, while a third called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, 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 surprised, according to entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"He might have come down to breakfast in a green cloak 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 can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his experience with the program.

"I'd like to participate once more... I doubt it would be successful a second time!"

Thursday evening's installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as we recapped 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 began this game as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I thought."

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

Early on of the finale, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's maroon velvet tuxedo. What a look.

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

The challenge saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

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

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, the game reached the final stage - this being what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was painfully banished - after a shock vote from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to the other as a traitor.

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

A contestant, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they said.

Happily, the champion soon recovered from his emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

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

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

"You've got something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.