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Strictly Come Dancing > News
Strictly Come Dancing final a ratings winner
23 December 2007, Telegraph Online
The crowning of the singer Alesha Dixon as the Strictly Come Dancing champion proved a huge hit for the BBC, reaching the Corporation's third highest audience for the year.
An average of 11.4million viewers tuned in for the final making it the most watched BBC1 programme of the last 12 months after the Vicar of Dibley Christmas special and the Concert for Diana, Princess of Wales.
At one time, during the show which was split in two on Saturday night, 12.1million people tuned in to see the popstar clinch the title from ex-Eastenders actor Matt di Angelo, nearly half the total audience watching that night.
Alesha Dixon triumphed in the Strictly Come Dancing Final 2007
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Such was the success of the programme, which also featured a performance by the Spice Girls, that it is expected to catapult Dixon, a former member of the group Mis-teeq, back into the charts.
"You could become the biggest female star in this country,” said Bruce Forsyth, the presenter.
“I said a few weeks ago you could become Britain’s Beyonce (the US star) with your singing and now you can dance - what an act you could be!”
The singer looked overwhelmed as the result was read out, and began crying.
Jumping up and down with dance partner Matthew Cutler, she told him: “I love you.”
The bookmaker Coral, who had her as the favourite to win the competition, reduced the odds of her having a number one single next year to 2-1.
They have also made her 40-1 to have next year’s Christmas number one, and 66-1 to win for the UK at next year’s Eurovision.
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Dixon later said: “I’m over the moon I can’t believe it. “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.
“I have spent more time with Matthew than with any of my family.”
She said she hoped to continue dancing with Cutler.
Before Strictly Come Dancing, Dixon has been struggling to rekindle her pop career.
But now she is known to millions of viewers, her debut solo album, due out next year, is expected to be a huge success.
Dixon, 29, from Welwyn Garden City, Herts, married Harvey from So Solid Crew at Brocket Hall, Hertfordshire, in June 2005.
Chef Jean-Christophe Novelli cooked the wedding breakfast.
But less than a year later, Harvey admitted he was having an affair with singer Javine Hylton - his co-star in the West End musical Daddy Cool - and the couple split up.
-END-
Related:
Strictly Come Dancing Celebrities and their dance partners
- Stephanie Beacham, Dynasty star - paired with Vincent Simone
- Kelly Brook, actress - Brendan Cole
- Letitia Dean, EastEnders actress - Darren Bennett
- Alesha Dixon, Mis-Teeq singer - Matthew Cutler
- Kate Garraway, GMTV presenter - Anton Du Beke
- Penny Lancaster-Stewart, model - Ian Waite
- Gabby Logan, sports presenter - James Jordan
- Kenny Logan, Scotland rugby star - Ola Jordan
- John Barnes, ex-England footballer - Nicole Cutler
- Brian Capron, actor - Karen Hardy
- Matt Di’Angelo actor - Flavia Cacace
- Gethin Jones, Blue Peter presenter - Camilla Dallerup
- Dominic Littlewood, TV presenter - Lilia Kopylova
- Willie Thorne, snooker player - Erin Boag
Judges: Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli
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