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Strictly Come Dancing final 2018: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton crowned champions

Champions: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton have won Strictly Come Dancing 2018: BBC / Guy Levy
Champions: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton have won Strictly Come Dancing 2018: BBC / Guy Levy

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton have been crowned Strictly Come Dancing champions.

The journalist couldn’t contain her joy as she hugged Clifton when Tess Daly announced their names follow a closely-fought final.

Searching for words, Dooley gushed: “I should say something quite poignant, shouldn't I? You know how highly I think of you. I think you are the biggest gem.

"It's no surprise you have been in the final as many times as you have. It's daunting doing something you haven't done before. But he's so patient and he walks you through. You so deserve this. You so deserve this."

Clifton has been in the final four times previously, falling at the last hurdle with Susanna Reid, Frankie Bridge, Kellie Bright and Louise Redknapp.

The elated dancer said: “Thank you so much not for just being amazing but for being the most wonderful person to work with and train with and always with a massive smile on your face.

Showdance: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton left us breathless with their busy freestyle (BBC/Guy Levy)
Showdance: Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton left us breathless with their busy freestyle (BBC/Guy Levy)

Host Claudia Winkleman joked that Clifton was “not the bridesmaid tonight, but the bride” as the couple gleefully celebrated.

Dooley, who had been favourite to win the show, beat Ashley Roberts, Faye Tozer and Joe Sugg in the final, where they each performed three dances each.

Fans were left in hysterics after Dooley's showdance to Land Of A Thousand Dances when Bruno Tonioli accidentally offered her some X-Rated feedback.

He gushed: “It was ready, steady, go! She went from a cloud of hairspray to a medley of Stacey’s greatest tits!

“Greatest hits! It really was a showcase. Simply fabulous, I enjoyed it,” Tonioli finished before apologising to the laughing couple.