Hamza Yassin and his Strictly partner Jowita Przystal vowed to continue working together after being crowned 2022 winners.
The wildlife cameraman and presenter, 32, and pro partner Jowita lifted the Glitterball trophy on Saturday.
Their victory in the final – over Fleur East and Vito Coppola, Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu, and Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez – came despite a blip with his second dance of the night only scoring 34 out of 40.
Hamza said: “I am absolutely over the moon. I didn’t believe I would make it past week one, let alone make it to the final and lift that Glitterball.
“This wouldn’t have been possible without Jowita. She has been my absolute rock and I wouldn’t have wanted this journey with anyone else, and for that I will be eternally grateful.
“I’m so thankful for everyone who has voted, it’s made the long hours of training and hard work worthwhile.
“Everyone deserved to win, the performances were outstanding.”
Jowita added: “I am so proud of Hamza, the sheer amount of hard work, determination and courage he has shown over the past 13 weeks has been incredible.
"I never thought I would be lifting the Glitterball in my first year as a Strictly pro. It’s been an amazing journey, and I’ve loved every minute of it.”
CBeebies presenter Hamza plans to continue their partnership on the Strictly live tour, and they could front other TV shows together too.
Hamza says he would love to make documentaries in her native Poland. “He’s not getting rid of me,” she said.
Hamza, who lives in the Scottish Highlands, told her: “I’m going to take you to Scotland first.
“Let’s see how she does when we come back. She wants to go on a safari to Africa, and I said yes.”
Sudan-born Hamza moved to the UK in 1998 aged eight with his mother Ilham and father Ahmed, both doctors, and his brother Karrar and sister Anhar.
He was diagnosed with dyslexia as a teenager, which he said meant he could visualise in 3D where he needs to be on the dancefloor during routines.
He has a degree in Zoology with Conservation from Bangor University and a Masters in Biological Photography and Imaging from the University of Nottingham.
Hamza was not a total ballroom novice, having performed in Bangor University Dance Club’s end-of-term show in 2010. But a spokesman said he had “never been professionally trained”.
Hamza has made guest appearances on The One Show and Countryfile. In 2021 he joined the BBC series Animal Park about the lives of keepers and animals at Longleat Safari Park.
He has also presented several documentaries for Channel 4, including Scotland: Escape To The Wilderness.
Hamza parents moved a lot as hospital doctors but they eventually settled in Northampton, where he attended the £20,000-per-year Wellingborough school.
They now work at Kettering General Hospital, Northants.
Mum Ilham Karrar said: “Whenever someone in the hospital sees me, they want to talk about Hamza. I’ve even had patients congratulate me and talk about Hamza while I am delivering their baby.””
His victory was perhaps cheered loudest at Kilchoan community centre, where he has lived for over 12 years.
When a university pal invited Hamza to Ardnamurchan, on Scotland’s west coast, to see stags close up enough to photograph, he fell in love with the place. So much so, he returned to live there.
A roar went up when Claudia Winkleman ann-ounced he had shimmied his way to victory in the final.
Amanda Gane, Hamza’s “Scottish mum” said: “I’m shaking. I thought that the public would vote for him.
“Then his last dance was so good that it sealed it.”
