'Strictly Come Dancing' winner Tom Chambers has revealed how he called loved ones after realising the judges' semi-final scoring had guaranteed him a place in the bottom two.
Chambers told BBC Breakfast he phoned his "nearest and dearest" to let them know that theoretically it would be impossible for him not to languish at the bottom and added: "It is the public who kept us".
Chambers won on Saturday after being saved from last week's dance-off by the last-minute decision to let all three couples go into the final.
The decision was made after judges' scores meant Rachel Stevens and Lisa Snowdon tied in top place. This meant that no matter how much public support he received, Chambers could not be saved from the dance-off.
Viewers bombarded the BBC with thousands of complaints at the decision to let all the couples remain and the Corporation later decided voters would be offered refunds.
Chambers joked he was hoping he was one step ahead of his hero Fred Astaire who, according to legend once had his abilities summed up as not being able to act or sing but could dance "a little".
Chambers's dance partner Camilla Dallerup thanked the public on the BBC1 programme and said the show dance finale was "the best memory for me of six series".
Judge Arlene Phillips said Chambers performances on the show had been "brilliant" but he had been "slightly unfortunate" at times. She continued: "These show dances can clinch the title."
Phillips said Chambers had the hardest job on Saturday as he had to lead, which almost meant he was up against professionals Brendan Cole and Vincent Simone.
She praised Chambers's abilities with "probably the best show dance we have ever seen on Strictly".
