Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Final with 11 million views.

An average of 11 million people signed up to see EastEnders star Rose Isling-Ellis, who became the first deaf athlete to win Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday. After being declared the winner, Eiling-Ellis paid tribute to her professional partner, Giovanni Pernis, saying she "always had a piece of her heart."

The show had a top viewer of 12.3 million, giving One 57.8% overnight viewers. The September opening show saw an average of seven million viewers, while combined audience data shows the series regularly attracts more than nine million viewers, making it one of the most-watched television shows in the country.

During the show, Eiling-Ellis said, "I'm getting tighter than ever because of Tight." Shirley Ballas described her as an "inspiring young woman." Eiling-Ellis stops Koch and former cookie winner John Waite's race.

The third finalist, TV presenter AJ Odudu, had to leave the race on Friday after tearing ligaments in his ankle.

Eyling-Ellis reprises her regular partner-choice program. She dances to Lacquer without music for 20 seconds as a tribute to the deaf community and an example of how deaf people can still dance to music. The pair put on an impressive elevator during a performance inspired by Bette Middler's Romeo and Juliet from The Rose for their latest dance.

Judge Anton Du Becke held back tears as he said to the actress: "I can't speak, it's so beautiful. I'm sorry for not seeing you, or I'll cry. Ayling-Ellis and Whaite got consistent results in the finals from the judges, who both got perfect 40s for their favorite dance and their show dance.