Eastender dances to victory

Eastenders actress Jill Halfpenny danced her way to victory in the BBC talent show Strictly Come Dancing, last night.

08:54 12 December 2004

Eastenders actress Jill Halfpenny danced her way to victory in the BBC talent show Strictly Come Dancing, last night.

The Geordie actress, a novice on the dance floor just weeks ago, wowed ballroom dance judges with three separate sequences during the live final at the Blackpool Tower.

Halfpenny, who plays Kate Mitchell in EastEnders, saw off competition from athlete Denise Lewis and comic Julian Clary to be crowned queen of the ballroom.

The final trio were whittled down from the ten couples taking part in the competition at the beginning of the series.

TV presenter Esther Rantzen and former choirboy Aled Jones were among those celebrities that took to the dance floor in the second series of the popular talent show.

Halfpenny, 29, who was awarded full marks for her jive to Sir Elton John's I'm Still Standing, thanked her dancing partner and coach Darren Benett for helping her to victory.

"I just want to say that you have been a brilliant teacher," she said.

"I have so enjoyed this experience and that's got a lot to do with you. Thank you so much."

Halfpenny, who takes over the dancing crown from BBC News presenter Natasha Kaplinsky, went into the final as the bookies' favourite.

Competitors were subject to a combination of voting by professional ballroom dance judges and a public phone vote.

Over seven million public votes were cast during the series, raising some 850,000 for Children in Need.

Viewing figures for the hit series - hosted by entertainer Bruce Forsyth alongside Tess Daly and former winner Kaplinsky - topped those of last year.

Fans of the show can look forward to a Christmas special, Strictly Come Dancing On Ice, which will air later this month.