After weeks of suspense, plots and backstabbing, Celebrity Traitors concludes with a nail-biting finale

Warning: spoilers ahead - This piece reveals key moments from Celebrity Traitors finale

Over the course of the show, viewers witnessed murders, betrayals, intense glares, and a memorable moment that pierced all tension.

However on the final evening, the final winner of the inaugural celebrity edition was revealed.

Out of nineteen participants, only five were left standing: Deceivers and loyal players competing for the prize.

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

Ultimately, funny man Alan Carr was crowned the champion, 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'd always been a traitor. "I'm an awful human being."

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

Online platforms quickly erupted with this development. "The worst deceiver being the most effective player," commented one user.

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," wrote a different person, while a third described it as "the television highlight of the year."

The organization he selected, Neuroblastoma UK, will receive all the prize money, with the final pot amounting to eighty-seven thousand five hundred pounds.

The comedian's evolution from giggle liability to cold-hearted killer was one of the standout highlights of the series.

However, his victory still left the nation in shock, as noted by industry observers.

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

During follow-up conversations, fellow players summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"Alan could have come down to the morning meal in a green cloak and I wouldn't have believed he was a traitor. I was too busy laughing," a player said.

"The majority didn't target him because how does one vote for someone who is so charming?" asked a different contestant.

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

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

The final installment was extended to 70 minutes on the network. It had a different start than usual, as all the celebs knew who'd make it 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.

True to form, Alan Carr provided some of the most memorable lines.

"To be honest, I started the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've betrayed close allies to save myself, I've murdered national treasures openly. Apparently I'm a better liar and player than I thought."

At the same time, another contestant noted that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with a national team", while someone else said he was "totally surprised" to have lasted this long.

Early on in the episode, various contestants appeared to be making a bid to become the new style icon of the castle, taking over from the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

Carr emerged at the morning meal looking like a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, later switching into a bejewelled white suit.

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

Next up was the challenge, with the final players boarding a train named - naturally - The Traitors Express.

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

Before long, the moment arrived for the roundtable.

Two traitors made a pact in advance, pledging to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated a player, while the other just giggled.

And one adhered to his promise. But, managing to stay under the radar for the majority of the competition, their partner still got the most votes.

The last deceiver appeared to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Now I'm on my own, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm unpredictable, without direction."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in Traitors history," posted another user.

But there was little opportunity to focus on this departure. Soon, they were at the final stage - this being 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 an absolutely shocking development.

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

"This pains me to be stabbed in the back last minute like that," said the eliminated player. Later, we learned that if they ever communicate, the betrayed player refers to the other as a traitor.

Finally, only three contestants were still competing: the last participants.

One player, looking incredibly smug, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who did the same - resulting in the deceiver emerged victorious.

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

Fortunately, the champion quickly regained composure from his emotional outburst, and could finally appreciate the moment.

"What a rollercoaster. I was awful at lying, my expressions gave me away and now I stand a winner," he said.

He also made light of that infamous murder - his best friend during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the final scene and touching her cheek.

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

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