Alexandra Burke thanks Strictly Come Dancing for giving her “happiness”

Alexandra Burke has thanked Strictly Come Dancing for giving her “happiness” this year.

Saturday night saw the four final couples performing live for the last time with three routines each: Their personal favourite, a choice by the judges and the show dance.

As always judges Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood marked all of the performances out of 40 but their marks did NOT count this week: Only public votes decided the winner.

At the end of the night, Alexandra Burke was on top of the scoreboard with a total of 119 points.

However it was Joe McFadden who won Strictly Come Dancing 2017 in the results show, where viewers had all the power.

Despite not winning, and facing a barrage of unfair criticism during her time on the show, Alexandra says Strictly has given her “happiness” this year.

Alexandra, who sadly lost her mum just before the series began, said: “I can’t thank Strictly enough for giving me happiness in a very weird time in my life.

“Everyone has made that journey for me so special.

“I think for me, the feedback that I got online is more about, whatever you are going through in life, you can find a good outcome, there is always that light at the end of the tunnel.”

The former X Factor winner said she had the option to leave the show after her mum passed away.

However, Alexandra decided to stay put in memory of her mother who always wanted her to be on the show.

Alexandra concluded: “I’m not going to say everything’s been rosy, I’ve had ups and downs but I’ve done something that’s brought me such joy.

“If I can inspire someone else to dance or do something they love, in the toughest of times in their life, then that’s what I’m here for.”

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in 2018.