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

Warning: spoilers ahead - This article discloses key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, betrayals, serious side-eye, and an unforgettable incident that pierced the overwhelming tension.

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

From 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and loyal players facing off for the winnings.

Soon, the competition tightened to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian Alan Carr emerged as the winner, in a shocking result that went viral and made him tearful.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with this development. "Most awful traitor ever being the most effective player," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive the entire winnings, with the total amount amounting to £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from comic relief to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

However, his victory still shocked viewers in shock, as noted by industry observers.

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him keeping composure through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to breakfast in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," one participant 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 "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

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

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who'd make it at the morning gathering.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show 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 a nervous wreck. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. 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 a national team", while another said he was "totally surprised" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, various contestants seemed to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from an earlier departed fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

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

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

The challenge involved destroying portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," stated a player, while the other simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for most of the game, their partner still got the most votes.

The remaining traitor appeared he was in significant distress to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and onlookers were similarly upset.

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

"You will forever be remembered in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Before long, the game reached the endgame - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players gathered around the fire pit. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, 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 stabbed in the back at the final moment in that manner," remarked the ousted contestant. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, just three players were still competing: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. The same decision was made by a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "compelling television". "I predict it could be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"Such an emotional journey. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

And he even made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the host in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. But it really did occur. And we will miss it.