It was billed as one of the most unpredictable finals in years, but who took the Strictly crown?

It was bookie’s favourite Joe McFadden and his partner Katya Jones who managed to lift the glitterball trophy on the night ahead of judges favourite Alexandra Burke.

Alexandra Burke and partner Gorka Marquez had topped the leaderboard after two dances and scored full marks for their American smooth to Wouldn’t It Be Loverly from My Fair Lady as they opened the show on Saturday night with the judges’ choice dance.

Craig Revel Horwood told the couple he “thought it was absolutely dreadful because I couldn’t find a single thing wrong” while head judge Shirley Ballas said it was “exquisite”.

After their first two performances Joe and Katya managed to beat radio presenter Debbie McGee and partner Giovanni Pernice to second place on the judges leaderboard.

McFadden’s showdance to You Make My Dreams by Hall & Oates picked up 39 points from the judges, while McGee’s own freestyle earned 38 points.

The final competitor actress Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec scored 38 points from the judges for their paso doble to Viva La Vida by Coldplay and 37 for their showdance.

The full cast from this year’s show also reunited for special group dance to Walking on Sunshine.

Speaking after the announcement of his win McFadden had not expected to win, adding: “Not in a million years, it feels completely surreal and I’m so in awe of everyone who started all of those weeks ago.”