CHEERS from the studio audience at the Dancing On Ice final on Sunday night were proof enough that the public was right in voting world champion gymnast Beth Tweddle the winner of the competition.

The Olympic bronze medallist, from Bunbury, was ‘speechless’ when host Philip Schofield announced that she and partner Dan Whiston had beaten Eastenders actor Matt Lapinskas and his partner Brianne Delcourt to the trophy.

Speaking to The Chronicle after her big win, Beth said: “It was the best feeling to be announced the winner and was all very overwhelming.

“A big thank you to everyone who has voted for me over the past 10 weeks, I have had the most amazing experience.”

Dan added: We never expected anything apart from us giving it our all, which is what we did. We are so grateful to the public as we owe the trophy to them – thank you!”

The former Queen’s School girl described dancing Bolero in front of Olympic gold medal winning skaters Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean as ‘everything and more’.

She said: “It was such a privilege to skate Bolero, especially in front of Jane and Chris, and it was our favourite routine of the series.”

After being presented with the trophy, Beth turned to her parents Ann and Jerry and brother James in the audience and waved.

Beth, who was presented with a gold coloured body cast sculpture at the Museum of Liverpool yesterday, was not the favourite with the judges though, who awarded Matt top marks for both his routines.

Judge Jason Gardiner, who described being ‘bored to Beth’ in the opening episode of this eighth series of the talent contest, walked off the set as soon as the closing credits rolled.

Head judge Robin Cousins, who described her Bolero as ‘electric’ and ‘intense’ even tweeted the following day: “I take nothing away from Beth she really upped her game and was great. But for me Matt and Bri gave three of the top performances in any DOI.”

Towie’s Lauren Goodger, out of action apparently due to an injury, was the only one of the original 12 celebrity contestants not to take to the rink to perform her ice swansong. She was seated in the aisle opposite us with ice dance partner Michael Zenezini.

Despite being miked up and a cameraman primed to film her, there was no mention made on the programme of the contestant whom Jason described as having the sensuality of ‘a walrus on ice’.

Even though the Dancing On Ice tour was cancelled earlier this year, Beth and Dan will be back on the ice in a new show, Celebrities On Ice, which will visit Event City in Manchester in May.

Beth said: “ I'm really excited that I'm going to be continuing skating. It's really great that I will be skating with Dan again, as we have become really good friends. Hopefully, after that, I will go on holiday!”