Alesha Dixon wins 'Strictly'

Alesha Dixon and her professional dance partner Matthew Cutler have won this year's Strictly Come Dancing contest.

Dixon, long the bookies' favourite, received two more points from the Strictly judges in the final than rival Matt Di Angelo and his partner Flavia Cacace; however, only the first three out of a total of five dances were scored by the judges, and it was ultimately a viewer vote - not a judging-based dance off as in previous weeks - that determined the winner.

Throughout the two-part live final, both couples were congratulated by the judges for achieving a high standard of performance.

"You two really are the best of Britain - you're a shining example for young people," said Bruno Tonioli.

Head judge Len Goodman said: "Matt, you've proved to everyone that you deserve to be here tonight. Alesha, you've been Miss Consistency throughout the series. Great job, both of you."

Alesha was visibly stunned when the result was announced, and was told by host Bruce Forsyth that having added dancing to her singing abilities, she could go on to rival Beyoncé Knowles.

"You really could be the biggest female star in Britain," he told her.

> Check out what people are saying about the final of Strictly Come Dancing 2007

Runners-up Matt and Flavia said after congratulating the winning couple that they were "so pleased" to have made it as far as they did. Flavia said: "We'd won by getting to the final."