Alesha Dixon has danced her way to victory to be crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion of 2007.

Along with dance partner Matthew Cutler, the former Mis-Teeq star saw off competition from EastEnders actor Matt Di Angelo and his partner Flavia Cacace in the live final of the fifth series.

In probably the most closely fought contest in Strictly history, the couples started with their favourite ballroom dance of the series.

Matt and Flavia performed the American Smooth, while Alesha and Matthew danced the Waltz. And it was the singer who won the first round, with judge Craig Revel Horwood describing her performance as "flawless".

In round two, they performed their favourite latin dance. Matt danced his Salsa while Alesha did the Cha Cha Cha. This time it was Matt who came out on top, with judge Len Goodman commenting: "I loved your Salsa last time, but for me, that was just a bit better."

The pairs then had to perform the Judges' Choice. The four experts picked We Love To Boogie as the music; Matt and Flavia danced a Quickstep, while Alesha and Matt danced a Jive. Both impressed the judges equally, but at the end of the first half of the final, Alesha was just ahead on points.

The second half of the show saw the couples perform a Viennese Waltz followed by their show dances. Matt and Flavia performed a Cha Cha Cha to Lenny Kravitz's Are You Going To Go My Way, which wowed the audience and the judges and included a stunning one-handed lift.

Then Alesha and Matthew took to the floor with their own high-flying routine to Bonnie Tyler's Holding Out For A Hero.

And it was the self-confessed Strictly superfan who eventually lifted the coveted glitter ball trophy.

The result was not a surprise for fans of the show, who have seen bookies' favourite Alesha give consistent performances throughout the series.

Alesha said taking part in the show has helped her to shake off depression. Christmas 2006 was "a real, real low point" - her marriage to Harvey from So Solid Crew had broken down after less than 18 months and she had parted company with her record company, Polydor, following poor sales of her solo singles.

"Anyone who knows me knows that my music career and marriage were the most important things. And I lost them within two weeks of each other," she told the Sun.

"It was the lowest point of my life. I just kept thinking, 'What have I done to deserve this?' I didn't see the point in living."

After weeks of depression, Alesha said she realised she had to turn her life around.

Have your say on the final

See Alesha's best bits in pictures