CRICKET ace Mark Ramprakash waltzed away with the Strictly Come Dancing crown after a dazzling all-male final.
A staggering 12 million votes were cast as snake-hipped Ramps knocked rugby rival Matt Dawson for six.
As partner Karen Hardy burst into tears, Ramprakash was hugged by wife Vandana and daughter Cara.
He told the audience: “From the very first day I met Karen this whole thing has been amazing. It’s a privilege to be on this show.”
Presenter Bruce Forsyth paid tribute to the couple’s chemistry, saying: “You could bring back variety.”
Gracious Matt, who was partnered by Lilia Kopylova, paid tribute to his rival saying: “There is no question. There was only one winner here.”
Millions of BBC viewers tuned in to see the performances and hear hosts Bruce and Tess Daly deliver the verdict.
The 12 million votes cast smashed the record previously held by the X Factor, which polled 10.8 million during the 2005 final which Shayne Ward won.
During the 2005 general election just over 27 million people voted.
The studio audience gave the winning couple a standing ovation while the judges paid tribute to the efforts of both sportsmen.
Speaking exclusively to the News of the World, Arlene Phillips told us exactly why Mark had captured the public support. She said: “Millions voted for him because of his dreamy looks.”
Len Goodman praised the runner-up, saying: “At the beginning I said you were Matt by name, Matt by nature.
“Tonight we had the primer, the undercoat and the gloss finish. You were great.”
The nail-biting final raised thousands for BBC Children In Need from the phone calls.
Handsome Ramps had emerged as an early favourite to win the show after he perfected the Latin dances and his good looks caught the attention of female viewers.
Even admitting that he had conducted a six-year affair with single mum Sadia Saleem — behind the back of his wife Vandana and daughters Cara, nine, and Anya, four — did nothing to harm his popularity.
Vandana cheered and clapped from the sidelines last night as he swung his partner around the floor. Matt, fresh from victory in Celebrity Masterchef, relied on public support rather than his dancing ability to get a spot in the final.
The popular Question Of Sport panellist had looked awkward in the figure- hugging outfits at times, but he was supported every step of the way by girlfriend Joanne Salley, a former Miss Northern Ireland
Before dating the beauty the England international enjoyed a high profile seven-year relationship with Natalie Pinkham, a TV personality and friend of Prince Harry.
Despite their rivalry on the show the two sportsmen have admitted they are mates and even went out for dinner this week ahead of the showdown. Both have also vowed to continue dancing.
Matt said: “If the time’s right in many years to come and me and Joanne feel the need to do a salsa lesson, we’ll go and do it.”
Ramprakash told how his eldest daughter collapsed in giggles when he signed up for the show.
He said: “Cara followed the show last year and when she heard I was going on the show she just rolled around laughing. She couldn’t imagine her dad in tight trousers and make-up.
“But she’s come to a lot of shows and loved all of them. It’s opened up a whole new world to her.”
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