Strictly Come Dancing's 2022 finale was viewed by an average TV audience of 9.2 million viewers last night as fans tuned in to Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal lift the Glitterball Trophy.
Yet the figure was a dramatic drop from last year's final when Rose Ayling-Ellis and dance partner Giovanni Pernice won, which had been watched by an average of 11 million.
Wildlife cameraman Hamza fought off stiff competition from fellow competitors Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford as he rose to the top spot - despite ranking in the lowest place on the leaderboard ahead of the public vote.
According to viewing figures, the ratings were down from the show's launch episode at the start of the series, which saw the celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners.
It was watched by an average of 5.4 million viewers, with a peak audience of 5.6 million.
While last year's series launch received an average of 7.0 million viewers, peaking at 7.3 million.
One explanation for the drop could be inconsistency of the viewing schedule which although publicised had seen the show moved from it's traditional prime time spots.
The scheduling switch up due to The World Cup saw the show moved on to Friday and Saturday nights for two weeks and last week's show was for the first time ever shown across Sunday and Monday nights.
This year's Strictly was the 20th series with celebs still putting their hands — and even love life — on the line for the intense training schedules and performing in weekly live shows.
Meanwhile Hamza and Jowita's victory comes despite their Showdance which was earlier branded 'underwhelming' by Craig Revel Horwood.
Speaking after his win, an emotional Hamza said: 'Words can't describe how I feel. I want to thank one person in particular - Jowita, you are an angel disguised as a human being. That's what you are, you're amazing.
'Thank you to everyone out there for voting for us. This is the best thing that's ever happened to me.'
While Jowita shared: ''Anything is possible and he is just the proof that anything is possible."
Pro dancer and finalist Gorka Marquez was consoled by his fiancée Gemma Atkinson last night after a devastating defeat in the show's final.
He has now reached the final in the last three series of Strictly but every time he has gone home empty handed.
In a sweet moment, Gorka shared to fans his consolation prize - a crown which he said he is going to give to his beloved daughter Mia. He said: "That is my trophy", with soap star and radio presenter partner Gemma adding: "Who need a glitterball trophy when you've got a crown?"
