Strictly Come Dancing final
Joe McFadden and partner Katya Jones are pressented with the coveted glitterball Strictly Come Dancing/BBC One

Joe McFadden has been crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017.

The Holby City star said he was "in shock" after the result was announced on Saturday's live final.

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As his dance partner Katya Jones burst into tears, the 42-year-old novice dancer exclaimed: "Oh my goodness. It's completely surreal! I can't believe we did it! Not in a million years did I think we could do it."

"This feels complete surreal. I'm so in awe of everyone who started all those weeks ago," he said after being presented with the coveted glitterball.

Turning to Katya, who is credited with taking the non-dancer to the final. he added: "This woman is the most amazing woman. Thank you so much for sticking with me and persevering with me and for being the most amazing dancer and counsellor and slave driver. She's amazing, utterly amazing."

The actor was the last man standing in a dance-off with fellow finalists Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkinson.

McFadden had the public won over as he week after week he grew in confidence and danced with grace and style that had him tipped as a dark horse from the outset.

Shirley Ballas said his 'Viennese Waltz was "perfect", while even Craig Revel Horwood declared McFadden's Charleston simply "fabulous".

The year-old TV star became a strong contender as he found himself neck-and-neck with front runner Alexandra Burke and partner Gorka Marquezs during the final with both winning perfect scores from the judges for the flawless dance routines.

While all the previous contestants returned for the final, the show has not been without controversy. Judges favourite Alexandra Burke was hotly tipped to take the title after being praised for her technical prowess on the dancefloor. She received the first 10 of the season for her infectious jive to Tina Turner's Proud Mary, while her Mary Poppins-themed charleston had the judhes enchanted.

Alexandra Burke
Burke and Gorka Marquez performing on Strictly. BBC

However, the singer who was recently bereaved following the death of her mother, faced criticism from the public for her "fake attitude" and despite the judges high praise, regularly found herself in the bottom two following the public vote. Commentators have attributed the results to an "unconscious voter racism"

Such has been the contempt shown towards Burke, earlier this week BBC Radio 2 presenter Chris Evans felt compelled to apologise to the former X Factor star. "I would like to apologise on behalf of Great Britain because we forgot to vote for you," he said.

The pop star was said to be upset by the backlash after she was trolled on social media, but she won support with her determination to continue iin the face of personal loss, demosntrating her unfaltering commitment to every performance.

In contrast, Debbie McGee, 59, has been hailed as a role model for more mature women as she mastered the complicated dance routines and demonstrated an agility that belied her years. Praising her Salsa, Revel Horwood said: "It was spectacular darling. Just amazing."

Gemma Atkinson also won accolades for her Pasa Doble, winning two '9s' and two '10s' but it was McFadden who finally stole the show.

Viewers turned to Twitter to celebrate the final result while others questioned the motivations of the voting audience.

Even the British PM had her say as she tweeted her congratulations to everyone involved in the show.