Dixon was paired with professional Matthew Cutler The winning moment

Both performed five dances with their professional partners but Dixon, 29, had been the bookies' favourite to triumph with partner Matthew Cutler.

"It was worth all the bruises, all the lack of sleep, all the painful cuts and sore joints, all the tears and all the 380 hours of training," Dixon said.

About 11.4 million viewers saw their victory, overnight estimates suggest.

Cutler described their victory as "a dream come true".

"You are a star in the making and you've worked so hard. Now you're just like a professional dancer," he told his partner.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood hailed their waltz as "flawless" and said it had given him "goose-bumps".

As the result was read out, Dixon - a former member of girl group Mis-teeq - looked overwhelmed and began crying and jumping up and down with Cutler.

I have made a brilliant friend in Flavia and if I had to lose to anyone, it had to be Alesha Runner-up Matt Di Angelo

As he handed her the winner's trophy, host Bruce Forsyth told her: "You could become the biggest female star in this country."

During the show the couples performed five dances, including their favourite three ballroom and Latin dances from the competition.

They then performed to T-Rex's We Love to Boogie, which was chosen by the judges.

The climax of the programme was their show dances.

Di Angelo, better known as Deano Wicks in EastEnders, and his partner, Flavia Cacace, performed their dance to Are You Gonna Go My Way? by Lenny Kravitz.

HAVE YOUR SAY I am so pleased Alesha and Matthew won! Lisa Williams, Ellesmere Send us your comments

Dixon and Cutler performed to Holding Out for a Hero by Bonnie Tyler.

The competition was close and the judges were full of praise for Di Angelo's efforts.

Following his salsa dance, judge Bruno Tonioli said: "That salsa shakes the winter blues away. You're flying high."

Di Angelo told the BBC News website: "I feel great - it couldn't have gone better, the night went to plan.