After multiple episodes of suspense, plots and sabotage, The Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting end

Spoiler alert - This article reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, audiences saw murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that cut through all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural Celebrity Traitors emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players facing off for the prize.

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

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

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

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

Online platforms immediately exploded with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," wrote another, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

His chosen charity, Neuroblastoma UK, 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 cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the season.

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

"The thought of him, of all people, executing a masterclass in deceit felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

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

"Alan could have appeared to the morning meal in traitor attire and I wouldn't have believed he was deceiving us. I was too busy laughing," one participant said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one eliminate a person so charming?" questioned another celebrity.

The winner stated he had "thoroughly enjoyed" his experience with the program.

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

The final episode was extended to 70 minutes on television. It had a different start than typical episodes, as all the celebs knew who would appear at the morning gathering.

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

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

"Let's face it, I began the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. I'm clearly more deceptive and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with England", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

In the beginning in the episode, various contestants appeared to be attempting to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at breakfast resembling a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Spare a thought for a player who was hit on the head multiple times by the cover of a substantial container.

Soon after, it was time for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I'm not going to throw him under a bus," said one, while their partner just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. Yet, having slipped unnoticed for the majority of the competition, the other still got the most 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."

Social media and viewers were equally disappointed.

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

"You will forever be remembered in Traitors history," wrote another user.

However, there remained little opportunity to focus on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance collapsed, precisely when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

A player was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their ally, who turned against them.

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute in that manner," said the eliminated player. Subsequently, it was revealed that when they message, the betrayed player calls the other by a betrayer's name.

Finally, only three contestants remained in the game: the last participants.

A contestant, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - resulting in the traitor emerged victorious.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants comforted the champion 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 emotional outburst, and was able to enjoy the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I thought I was terrible at deception, I had no poker face and here I am the champion," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his best friend 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 trademark giggle.

The last few weeks of celebrity gossiping, plotting and sometimes surprising incidents may seem like one big crazy jumbled dream. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.