Following weeks of tension, plots and sabotage, Celebrity Traitors has reached a nail-biting end

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

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

Yet on the final evening, the ultimate victor of the inaugural celebrity edition emerged triumphant.

From nineteen participants, just a handful remained: Traitors and loyal players competing for the winnings.

Before long, the competition tightened to only three contenders: 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, I'm so sorry," he exclaimed, revealing 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."

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

"It couldn't have been a more iconic ending," stated a different person, while someone else described it as "the TV moment of the year."

His chosen charity, a cancer charity, gets to keep the entire winnings, with the final pot amounting to £87,500.

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

But his win still left the nation surprised, 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."

During follow-up conversations, the other contestants summed up why no one had ever really suspected him.

"He might have come down 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.

"Most people didn't vote for him because how can you vote for someone who is so charming?" asked another celebrity.

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 again!"

The final installment was lengthened to over an hour on the network. It had an unusual opening than typical episodes, as every celebrity were aware who'd make it at the breakfast table.

Viewers heard some very uplifting, and atypical for the show soundtrack, as we recapped key scenes from every remaining player's experience in the game.

True to form, the comedian provided unforgettable quotes.

"To be honest, I began the competition as something of an anxious mess. I've thrown some really good friends to save myself, I've eliminated beloved figures openly. I'm clearly a better liar and player than I believed."

Meanwhile, another contestant commented that reaching the conclusion was "way more stressful than competing with England", while someone else said he was "completely amazed" to have lasted this long.

Early on of the finale, various contestants seemed to be attempting to become the new style icon of the competition, replacing the previously eliminated fashionable contestant.

The winner appeared at the morning meal resembling a 1950s US chat show host in a checked maroon suit, before changing into an embellished light-colored outfit.

But he was out-jacketted by another contestant's maroon velvet tuxedo. Impressive style.

Following this was the competition, with the remaining contestants getting on board a locomotive called - of course - The Traitors Express.

This task saw them ripping up portraits of former contestants. Spare a thought for one participant who managed to get hit on the head THREE times by the lid of a substantial container.

Before long, it was time for the roundtable.

The deceivers did a pinky promise beforehand, vowing to support each other. "We've come a long way, I won't throw him under a bus," stated one, while their partner simply laughed.

However, one did stick to his promise. But, having slipped unnoticed for most of the game, the other still received the majority elimination votes.

The last deceiver looked like to be experiencing a world of pain to be the last traitor standing. "Being alone, I'm frightened," he said. "I'm a loose cannon, a rudderless ship."

Social media and onlookers were equally disappointed.

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

"Your legacy will remain in the show's legacy," posted a different viewer.

However, there remained no time to dwell on their elimination. Before long, they were at the final stage - this being the moment everyone anticipated.

The last players stood over the fire pit. Meanwhile, the partnership collapsed, just when it was most crucial, in a truly WTF moment.

One contestant was eliminated in dramatic fashion - after a shock vote from their partner, who betrayed them.

"It hurts to be betrayed at the final moment in that manner," said the ousted contestant. Later, we learned that when they message, the betrayed player calls their former ally by a betrayer's name.

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

One player, appearing quite pleased, chose to conclude the competition. So did a different player, and it all came down to the third, who made the identical choice - which meant that the deceiver emerged victorious.

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

Happily, the winner soon recovered 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 the champion," the winner said.

He also made light of the memorable elimination - his close ally during the initial stages - by leaning toward the presenter in the concluding moments and touching her cheek.

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

The recent episodes of famous people scheming, plotting and sometimes unexpected moments may seem like a bizarre fantasy. Yet it actually occur. And we will miss it.