Strictly Come Dancing final ratings REVEALED as Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola are crowned champions

The Strictly Come Dancing attracted a peak of 9.9 million viewers during the live final on Saturday night, where Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola emerged victorious.

In the final of the beloved ballroom and Latin competition, Ellie and Vito competed against Layton Williams and Nikita Kumzin and Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.

Viewers tuned in to see which dancing couple would lift the Glitterball trophy, with viewership rising compared to last year's final which peaked at 9.7 million.

Although the peak rose slightly, average viewing figures fell to 9.2 million in 2022, compared to 8.7 million during this year's final, the overnight ratings show.

However, the timeslot's audience share was huge, with a whopping 53.8 percent choosing to watch Strictly over another show at the same time.

Figures have fallen in recent years after 11 million people tuned in to watch EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis make history as the first deaf winner in 2021.

The episode peaked when 12.3 million people watched Rose become the champion, alongside her dance partner Giovanni Pernice.

This year, the final episode of the series attracted an impressive 2 million viewers, after an average of 6.6 million viewers watched the launch show.

The peak audience was over 7.2 million, putting the number on par with the first competition night of 2022.

However, the average number seeing the couples hit the dance floor for the first time this weekend fell for the second year in a row after the 2022 show was watched by 6.8 million people and 7.9 million tuned in to the long-running show in tune. 2021.

It comes after Ellie broke her silence on her Strictly win as she paid an emotional tribute to her rumored boyfriend and dance partner Vito.

She became the show's youngest ever winner when she upstaged the other two celebrities after each couple performed three dances for the judges.

Speaking about what it was like to lift the glitterball trophy, the soap star said: 'Words can't describe how I feel right now and I can't believe we've just won Strictly Come Dancing 2023.

'It has been a life-changing opportunity and I have had the time of my life dancing with Vito every week.

'It was so special and the fact that I got to do it with such a great teacher made it an experience I will never forget.

'Thank you so much for that, Vito, and thank you for finding the dancer in me. We couldn't have won without the voting public, so a big thank you to everyone at home who answered the phone for us, we appreciate you all!

“Finally, a big congratulations to all the finalists and all the 2023 cast, who are incredible and have been on this journey with me.”

Vito gushed: 'This is incredible, thank you so much to everyone who voted for us, we love you and it means a lot to us! Ellie, my Lulu, I am so proud of you. I've seen how hard you've worked, the dedication and determination you've shown, and how much you've grown as a person over the past three months.

'We had a great time dancing together, and I loved every second of it! Thank you for being the best dance partner and thank you to everyone who supported and voted for us every week!'

Ellie and Vito, who are rumored to be an item, were both stunned when their names were announced, with the soap star's family in tears as they watched from the studio audience.

The overwhelmed duo choked back tears as they hugged each other before speaking to presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

“I really can't believe this,” a stunned Ellie muttered before exclaiming that this was the first time she had ever seen Vito, 31, cry.

'This is for you!' Ellie told her partner, who said the win was just the 'icing on the cake' before calling her a 'diamond'.

They raised the glitterball trophy as fireworks sparked and confetti fell from the ceiling as they were lifted onto the shoulders of their former competitors.

The pair had impressed during the final after performing a Pasa Doble, Show Dance and finally an American Smooth.

The final of the three earned them a whopping 40 points, with the judges raving about the actress's 'growth' and blossoming confidence during her time on the show.

The routine was labeled 'flawless' with Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke all scoring 10 points each.

When they later spoke to co-host Claudia, they struggled to contain their emotions, with Vito saying: “For me, Ellie is Strictly” before throwing his arms around her and saying: “She's my winner after all!”

Their very steamy Pasa Doble opened the show as the people sizzled in skimpy costumes, earning an impressive 39 out of 40 points – as well as a standing ovation.

Once again the judges were full of praise as they enjoyed the former soap star's progress throughout the series.

But the evening went smoothly for the pair after their Show Dance proved to be slightly less successful, with the pair making few mistakes and a fail lift.

As Ellie tried to jump onto the Italian's shoulders, Ellie slipped, forcing him to save her before she fell to the ground.

She seemed upset about the mistake, with Vito throwing his arms around her and repeatedly kissing her on the cheek in an attempt to comfort her.

“You know what's amazing,” Judge Shirley said of the fall, “how you made it, you didn't panic.”

When the couple then joined presenter Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly for the scores, they received 36 out of 40.

Earlier this month, it was claimed that Ellie and Vito had been seeing each other for over a month.

The pair have been in the spotlight after being accused of faking their romance to help win votes, but a source close to Ellie revealed they have been together for a few weeks.