Following weeks of tension, schemes and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors has reached a thrilling finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece discloses details from Celebrity Traitors finale

Throughout the season, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

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

Out of 19 contestants, just a handful were left standing: Traitors and faithfuls facing off for the winnings.

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

In the end, comedian Alan Carr was crowned the winner, in a surprising result that broke the internet and left him emotional.

"It's been tearing me apart, my apologies," he exclaimed, admitting to the remaining faithfuls that he'd always been one of the deceivers. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with the news. "Most awful traitor ever being the best traitor ever," wrote a viewer.

"There could not have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while a third called it "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching £87,500.

Alan Carr's transformation from giggle liability to strategic player was among the most memorable aspects of the series.

But his win still shocked viewers in shock, according to entertainment reporters.

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

On subsequent discussions, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to breakfast in a green cloak and I still wouldn't have thought he was a traitor. His humor distracted me," a player said.

"The majority didn't vote for him because how does one vote for a person so charming?" asked another celebrity.

Carr said he had "absolutely loved" his time on the show.

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

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on television. 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 soundtrack, as the episode revisited some moments from each of the finalists' time in the castle.

True to form, Alan Carr gave us unforgettable quotes.

"Let's face it, I started the competition as something of a nervous wreck. I've betrayed some really good friends under the bus, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and traitor than I thought."

Meanwhile, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than playing for a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have made it so far.

In the beginning of the finale, several players appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, replacing an earlier departed style leader.

The winner appeared at breakfast looking like a 1950s US chat show host in patterned burgundy attire, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's burgundy formal wear. Impressive style.

Next up was the challenge, with the final players getting on board a train named - of course - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved destroying images of eliminated players. Have sympathy for one participant who managed to get hit in the head multiple times by the cover of a heavy wooden box.

Before long, it was time for the elimination discussion.

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.

However, one did stick to his promise. Yet, managing to stay unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The remaining traitor looked like to be experiencing significant distress to be the final deceiver remaining. "Being alone, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Online platforms and viewers were similarly upset.

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

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

But there was no time to dwell on their elimination. Soon, the game reached the final stage - which was what we were really all here for.

The last players gathered around the ceremonial fire. And the alliance broke down, precisely when it mattered the most, in an absolutely shocking development.

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

"It hurts to be betrayed last minute in that manner," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player calls their former ally as a traitor.

Ultimately, only three contestants 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 made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

According to commentators, the scene where remaining contestants consoled the champion was "compelling television". "I anticipate it could be in the running for outstanding scene at next year's awards," they commented.

Fortunately, the winner soon recovered from his bout of tears, and could finally appreciate the moment.

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

And he even made light of that infamous murder - his close ally in an early episode - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

"There's something on your face," he said, with his characteristic laugh.

The recent episodes of celebrity gossiping, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.