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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and an unforgettable incident that pierced all tension.

Yet on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: the remaining contestants.

In the end, funny man Alan Carr emerged as the winner, 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 a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with this development. "The worst deceiver being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated another, while someone else called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had truly doubted him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate someone who is so loveable?" questioned a different contestant.

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

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

Thursday evening's installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the breakfast table.

There was some very uplifting, and atypical for the show music, as the episode revisited key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian gave us some of the most memorable lines.

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

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, several players appeared to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the competition, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

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

But he was out-jacketted by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

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

This task saw them destroying images of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who was hit in the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said one, while their partner just giggled.

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

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on this departure. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Subsequently, we learned that when they message, the eliminated contestant calls the other as a traitor.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the final trio.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. The same decision was made by a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where the other players consoled the winner was "compelling television". "I anticipate it will be a contender for outstanding scene at television honors," they commented.

Happily, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate his victory.

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and now I stand the champion," the winner said.

He also joked about that infamous murder - his best friend in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may feel like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.