Cool Forward: Kara Tointon is crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2010 after wowing judges with her stunning performances

By SARAH BULL

Winner: Kara Tointon and dance partner Artem Chigvintsev were tonight voted the winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2010

After winning the trophy, Kara said: 'It's the most special thing that I have ever achieved and thank you to this man, who has been absolutely wonderful. I'm a bit embarrassed but I've made the most fantastic friends for life.

Artem added: 'Thank you Kara, you're amazing.'

Despite falling at the final hurdle, finalist Matt said he was thrilled with the result, saying: 'It's been graet. I have absolutely thoroughly enjoyed tonight, and Kara and Artem are worthy winners. If I was at home, I would be voting for Kara as well.'

And as well as winning the Strictly glitterball trophy, Kara also walked away with another prize - in the form of a date with Artem.

The pair have been rumoured to have been dating throughout the competition, but tonight furthered speculation after appearing more than a little touchy-feely on the programme.

Kara Tointon was voted the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2010 tonight, despite battling a wrist injury.

Victory: Kara and Artem are congratulated by former contestants including Scott Maslen as they hold their trophy high

The 27-year-old former soap star and her partner Artem Chigvintsev wowed the judges with four incredible performances, including the American Smooth and their energetic show dance.

When she found out she and Artem had won, the former EastEnders star burst into tears before hugging Matt Baker and Aliona Vilani.

Celebration: Goldie holds Artem over his head as the Russian-born dancer celebrates his win

Stunning: Pamela Stephenson was the first to be voted off the show this evening

Speaking about being paired with Artem, Kara struggled to control her emotions and tears as she described her relationship with the Russian-born dancer.

And, in a VT ahead of their final performance, Kara said: 'I have made a friend for life and it has been a magical experience.'

While Artem added: 'When she's laughing, I find it adorable and irresistible.'
Kara's win was all the more impressive considering she had been battling a wrist injury following a back flip during her show dance.

The actress was seen backstage after the performance struggling not to cry while holding an ice pack to the wrist, telling the camera: 'I haven't done a back flip since I was about 11 and it really hurts now.'

Pamela Stephenson was the first contestant to be voted off the final tonight.

Ready to go: Kara wore a tight, low-cut jumpsuit as she and Artem performed to I Like The Way You Move

And Len, who also gave them a nine, said: 'What you've done, a little element of waltz, salsa and foxtrot - you've used all the skills you've learned and I thought it was charming. Well done.'

After the performance, Pamela said: 'It really has been the time of my life and I'm so appreciative to the women and men who have helped me get to where I am.'

And James cheekily added: 'Nobody puts Granny in the corner!'

Tonight's finale was opened by an energetic performance from the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, who danced to Eye Of The Tiger, with the girls sporting boards featuring the names of the three finalists.

Kara and Artem, Pamela and James, and Matt and Aliona were then welcomed to the dancefloor wearing boxing gowns and gloves ahead of the competition.

Head judge Len Goodman also kept the boxing analogy going as he introduced the show with a microphone hanging from the ceiling.

Presenter Tess Daly looked stunning in a full-length white gown with a sparkly silver asymmetric top, while Bruce Forsyth wore a black tuxedo with white waistcoat.

Gymnastic genius: Matt Baker used his gymnastic skills for the show dance

The first show of the evening saw the three finalists bring back their top-scoring dances, as well as unleashing their final show dance.

Up first were Matt and Aliona, who performed the Samba to Young Hearts Run Free , complete with a lot of hip movement and even some back flips from Matt, which earned him a series of cheers and applause from the audience.

Speaking about being in the final, Matt said: 'It's just such a special feeling to know that you're there - last weekend was such an emotional weekend.

'Initially I thought Strictly would be quite fluffy - a bit of glitter here and there, could it be that intense? But believe me, it can - it's just you, your partner and the floor.'

'Simply brilliant': Pamela and James received a standing ovation from the audience, which included Pamela's husband Billy Connolly

And as well as his natural dancing talent, it is Matt's chemistry with dance partner Aliona which has seen him get through to the final.

Describing their chemistry, Matt said: 'Aliona and I realised very quickly that we have a very similar outlook - she will dance what I'm feeling.'

Aliona added: 'I have actually been on a real, real journey - it's been a blast.'
Before taking to the dancefloor, Matt said: 'To be the last man standing is brilliant - to be the last one standing would be phenomenal.'

It was then time for the judges to pass their judgement on the performance.

All white on the night: Pamela and James stand with Tess as they await the judges' results

Len was first up, giving the couple a 9 and saying: 'We are expecting you to dance to the standard that has got you to this final, and that's what you did Matt. You came out, full on, and did so well - well done.'

Alesha Dixon, who awarded Matt and Aliona a 10, said: 'The last time we saw this dance was in Blackpool and you've done it again. I think it's the perfect way to open the show and I think it's the best samba of the series.'

Ever-amusing Bruno Tonioli, who also gave them a 10, said: 'There's nothing better than a hot Latin samba to cheer up everyone in a cold snap. You're samba was even better this time.'

And Craig Revel-Horwood, who gave them a 9, said: 'All good, I'm afraid. It was more confident than last time, I thought it was fantastic. That hip action is torrid, darling, it works very very well!'

Talking to Tess after the performance, Matt said: 'We wanted it to be a real celebration of everything we've done, and it feels brilliant to go out there and just dance - I'm so happy.'

Emotional: Kara struggled to control her tears as she spoke about her experience on Strictly before taking to the dancefloor to perform the Rumba

Kara and Artem were up next, performing the Rumba to an instrumental number.
Before taking to the dancefloor, Kara said she couldn't believe she had made it through to the final of Strictly.

She said: 'To have made it through to the final is one of the biggest achievements of my life. I don't think I'll ever forget when Artem slid towards to me on that first show. I had hoped to be with James or Anton, but I think he's forgiven me.

'It took me a few weeks to come out and let go. The first dance I did well with was the Paso Doble. In Blackpool the emotions were running high, I'd injured my partner, and then we did the best performance we've done in the whole show.'

On-screen chemistry: Matt and Aliona get on incredibly well, which is partly the reason they dance so well together

Eager to win: Matt and Aliona stand with Bruce Forsyth as they await the results from judges (left to right) Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman, Alesha Dixon and Bruno Tonioli

Making a big return: All the Strictly finalists returned for a last performance to the soundtrack of Paloma Faith

After their dance, Craig said: 'I would kill to be able to dance like that. I thought it was amazing. I thought you were adorable', and gave them his first 10.

Len, who caused controversy with a seven, said: 'What's great about number is that it's so lyrical and musical. Unfortunately, you're supposed to do a certain amount in hold. But it's still a great number and I think your dancing is brilliant.'

Alesha, who gave them a 10, said: 'I'm quite sad that that's the last dance we will see you guys do. I think you are the most exquisite dancer I have seen on Strictly and together you are first class.'

And Bruno, who also gave them a 10, said: 'Whatever happens, this was an inspired performance. Creatively it was superb.'

After the performance, Kara said: 'That dance has always been my favourite so we just wanted to do it again.

Strictly Come Dancing 2010 Final - Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev are crowned winners