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

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

Over the course of the show, audiences saw eliminations, double-crosses, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all suspense.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the first Celebrity Traitors was revealed.

From nineteen participants, just a handful were left standing: Deceivers and faithfuls facing off for the prize.

Before long, the field narrowed to just three: the remaining contestants.

In the end, comedian 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, admitting to the other players that he was actually one of the deceivers. "I feel terrible about this."

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

Social media quickly erupted with the news. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," wrote one user.

"There could not have been a better conclusion," stated another, while a third described it as "the TV moment of the year."

The organization he selected, a cancer charity, will receive all the prize money, with the total amount reaching eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to strategic player was one of the standout highlights of the season.

But his win still shocked viewers surprised, as noted by entertainment reporters.

"The idea of Alan, of all people, pulling off a masterclass in deception felt about as likely as him maintaining a straight face through his comedy routines."

On subsequent discussions, the other contestants summed up the reasons nobody had ever really suspected 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.

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

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

"I'd like to do it again... I don't think it would be successful a second time!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on television. There was a different start than usual, as all the celebs were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

There was particularly inspiring, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's time in the castle.

As ever, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition a bit of an anxious mess. I've thrown close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures in plain sight. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, a different player commented that being in the final was "significantly more pressure than competing with a national team", while another said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants 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 looking like a vintage television personality in patterned burgundy attire, before changing into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - naturally - The Deceivers' Railway.

This task involved ripping up portraits of former contestants. Have sympathy for a player who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a heavy wooden box.

Soon after, the moment arrived for the elimination discussion.

Two traitors did a pinky promise in advance, vowing to stick together. "We've progressed significantly, I'm not going to betray him," said a player, while the other just giggled.

However, one did stick to their agreement. Yet, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver appeared he was in a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I feel terrified," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Online platforms and onlookers were equally disappointed.

"I did NOT want this contestant to be eliminated. An endearing deceiver," commented a commentator.

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

But there was little opportunity to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the endgame - which was what we were really all here for.

The final four stood over the ceremonial fire. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, precisely when it mattered the most, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - following a surprising decision from their ally, who betrayed them.

"This pains me to be betrayed last minute like that," remarked the eliminated player. Later, it was revealed that when they message, the eliminated contestant refers to their former ally by a betrayer's name.

Finally, just three players remained in the game: the last participants.

One player, appearing quite pleased, voted to end the game. So did a different player, and everything depended on the third, who did the same - which meant that the deceiver was the winner.

For observers, the scene where the other players consoled the champion was "beautiful TV". "I anticipate it could be in the running for memorable moment at next year's awards," they commented.

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

"Such an emotional journey. I thought I was terrible at deception, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," the winner said.

And he even joked about that infamous murder - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the host in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

The last few weeks of famous people scheming, plotting and the occasional surprising incidents may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually all happen. It will be remembered fondly.