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Strictly final is watched by 11m Strictly final is watched by 11m
(1 day later)
More than 11m people tuned in on Saturday night to watch the Strictly Come Dancing final, the BBC has said.More than 11m people tuned in on Saturday night to watch the Strictly Come Dancing final, the BBC has said.
Sports presenter Chris Hollins was the surprise winner of the BBC One competition, beating actor Ricky Whittle in a public vote.Sports presenter Chris Hollins was the surprise winner of the BBC One competition, beating actor Ricky Whittle in a public vote.
The BBC presenter had performed four dances with his professional partner, Ola Jordan.The BBC presenter had performed four dances with his professional partner, Ola Jordan.
The show attracted a peak audience of 11.7m viewers, compared to last year's show which hit 13.3m.The show attracted a peak audience of 11.7m viewers, compared to last year's show which hit 13.3m.
This year's figures equated to 47% of the audience share, compared to 49.6% in 2008.This year's figures equated to 47% of the audience share, compared to 49.6% in 2008.
Glitterball trophyGlitterball trophy
After collecting his glitterball trophy, underdog Hollins told his tearful dancing partner: "Little Ola-chops, thank you so much for believing in me all the way along."After collecting his glitterball trophy, underdog Hollins told his tearful dancing partner: "Little Ola-chops, thank you so much for believing in me all the way along."
Both couples produced energetic final performances which impressed the judges. Hollins, 38, ended his dance standing on the judges' table.Both couples produced energetic final performances which impressed the judges. Hollins, 38, ended his dance standing on the judges' table.
The reporter could not stop staring at his trophy when he got home in the early hours, he told BBC Radio 5 Live. The reporter could not stop staring at his trophy when he got home in the early hours, he told BBC Radio 5 live.
He said he had had "a few drinks and loads of cuddles with various people" before spending an hour "just trying to calm down".He said he had had "a few drinks and loads of cuddles with various people" before spending an hour "just trying to calm down".
Whittle plans to quit Hollyoaks next year for HollywoodWhittle plans to quit Hollyoaks next year for Hollywood
Hollins said he did not think he had a future in dance, although he will perform on the Strictly live tour in the new year.Hollins said he did not think he had a future in dance, although he will perform on the Strictly live tour in the new year.
"I have had no professional dance opportunities and I don't think I ever will, so at the moment I am sticking to the day job," he said."I have had no professional dance opportunities and I don't think I ever will, so at the moment I am sticking to the day job," he said.
His alarm is set for 4am tomorrow to go into the BBC Breakfast studio as usual.His alarm is set for 4am tomorrow to go into the BBC Breakfast studio as usual.
Meanwhile, Whittle, who wowed the judges in the final by performing an impressive lift, has revealed he had struggled with an inguinal hernia.Meanwhile, Whittle, who wowed the judges in the final by performing an impressive lift, has revealed he had struggled with an inguinal hernia.
The actor said he kept the problem a secret as he did not want to be dropped from the show or to get sympathy votes from viewers.The actor said he kept the problem a secret as he did not want to be dropped from the show or to get sympathy votes from viewers.
"Every week I was terrified I would collapse on stage and be rushed to hospital," he told the News of the World."Every week I was terrified I would collapse on stage and be rushed to hospital," he told the News of the World.
"The pain was horrendous but it was my dream to go on the show and I wasn't going to let an injury stop me.""The pain was horrendous but it was my dream to go on the show and I wasn't going to let an injury stop me."
Whittle plans to quit Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks next year to try to make his name in Hollywood.Whittle plans to quit Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks next year to try to make his name in Hollywood.
This was the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing. Previous winners include actor Tom Chambers, Alesha Dixon and Mark Ramprakash.This was the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing. Previous winners include actor Tom Chambers, Alesha Dixon and Mark Ramprakash.