Following multiple episodes of tension, schemes and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling end

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

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, double-crosses, serious side-eye, and a memorable moment that pierced the overwhelming tension.

However on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the first Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

Out of 19 contestants, only five remained: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, in a shocking result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, I'm so sorry," he declared, revealing to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been a traitor. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media immediately exploded with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented a viewer.

"It couldn't have been a better conclusion," stated another, while someone else called it "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, gets to keep all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

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

But his win still left the nation in shock, according to industry observers.

"The idea of Alan, among everyone, executing an expert performance in deception felt just as probable as him keeping composure through one of his own punchlines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how can you eliminate a person so loveable?" questioned another celebrity.

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

"I want to participate once more... I doubt it would work again!"

The final installment was lengthened to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

There was some very uplifting, and very un-Traitors-esque soundtrack, as the episode revisited key scenes from each of the finalists' experience in the game.

As ever, the comedian provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm more deceptive and player than I thought."

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

Early on in the episode, several players seemed to be attempting to become the fashion standout of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal resembling a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

However, he got outstyled by a fellow player's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the remaining contestants boarding a locomotive called - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

The challenge saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said a player, while their partner simply laughed.

And one adhered to their agreement. But, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

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

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want that player to be banished. An endearing deceiver," said a commentator.

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

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, they were at the final stage - which was the moment everyone anticipated.

The final four stood over the fire pit. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player refers to the other by a betrayer's name.

Ultimately, only three contestants were still competing: the final trio.

One player, looking incredibly smug, voted to end the competition. So did another, and it all came down to the final participant, who made the identical choice - resulting in the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the moment where remaining contestants comforted the winner was "beautiful TV". "I predict it will be in the running for memorable moment at television honors," they said.

Happily, the winner quickly regained composure from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, I had no poker face and here I am a winner," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally in an early episode - by reaching over the host in the concluding moments and making contact.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. But it really did occur. It will be remembered fondly.