NORTH-EAST actress Jill Halfpenny was crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion of champions last night.

Jill, from Gateshead, and her dancing partner, Darren Bennett, received a standing ovation after their performance in the live edition of the popular BBC television show.

The couple finished second on the judge's scorecards, but the viewers' vote pushed them into top spot ahead of Olympic athlete Denise Lewis and her partner.

The celebrity dancing show has proved an enormous success and this year's series has now raised more than £1m for the Children in Need charity.

EastEnders star Jill, who appeared on Byker Grove aged 12, won the second series of the programme this year.

She first took up dancing lessons at the age of nine in Gateshead and appeared in productions of Annie and The Sound of Music, in Newcastle, but until this year had never previously won any competitions.

Last night's contest pitted Jill and her partner against the best performing couples from the two series of the show, including series one winner, newsreader Natasha Kaplinski.

After winning the competition Jill, 29, said: "Thank you to everyone who voted, it really is amazing."