LOS ANGELES (Nov. 26) - Brooke Burke waltzed away with the mirrorball trophy on the "Dancing with the Stars" finale.
The 37-year-old TV personality and mother of four dominated theseventh season of the popular ABC dancing competition and bestedformer NFL player Warren Sapp and former 'NSync member Lance Bassduring the Tuesday night finale, in which she reprised an emotionalViennese waltz routine that earned her a perfect score from theshow's panel of judges.
"Unbelievable," was all Burke could muster after winning amida flurry a confetti.
From the outset, the slinky former host of E!'s "Wild On" andCBS' "Rock Star" commanded the ballroom this season, coming infirst place eight out of 10 times and receiving a 10 - the judges'top score - 16 times. Burke was crowned the latest "Dancing withthe Stars" champion after the judges' scores - 88 out of 90 - werecombined with viewers' votes.
"I actually can't believe it," said Derek Hough, Burke'sprofessional partner, who's never won the competition. "I reallycan't. I honestly can't. The journey's been so long. It's beentough. It's been wonderful. It's been everything I could ever hopefor. Wow. I can't believe we actually did it, girl."
Burke maintained an eight point lead over Sapp, the charismatic35-year-old fan favorite whose technique was consistentlycriticized by the judges. Sapp still managed to hustle his way intosecond place with professional partner Kym Johnson, despitereceiving one point less from the judges than the third placefinisher, 29-year-old singer Bass.
"From the moment you start, you make me smile," head judge LenGoodman told Sapp.
Bass and his professional partner, Lacey Schwimmer, were upbeatabout their loss. The pair danced away after their dismissal. Andhe's not hanging up his dancing shoes just yet. The formerboybander will join professional dancers and other formercontestants for the 38-city "Dancing with the Stars" tour, whichis set to kick off Dec. 17 in San Diego.
"You never took the safe road once," judge Carrie Ann Inabatold Bass during the finale.
Previously dismissed celebrities - actor Cody Linley; sprinterMaurice Greene; actresses Susan Lucci and Cloris Leachman; chefRocco DiSpirito; reality TV star Kim Kardashian; actor TedMcGinley; and comedian Jeffrey Ross - also returned for a lastdance. Injured volleyball player Misty May-Treanor and singer ToniBraxton remained off their feet.
Season 7: Brooke Burke Partner: Derek Hough Best Moves: Brooke dominated the competition from the start, topping the scores eight out of 10 weeks.
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Season 6: Kristi Yamaguchi Partner: Mark Ballas Best Moves: Kristi had the perfect ending when she became the first contestant to score 90 out of 90 points in a 'Dancing' finale.
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Season 5: Hélio Castroneves Partner: Julianne Hough Best Moves: In week eight, the judges were quick to give Hélio and Julianne's quickstep perfect tens. The next week, they followed up with straight 10s for their rousing renditions of the Foxtrot and Cha-Cha-Cha.
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Season 4: Apolo Anton Ohno Partner: Julianne Hough Best Moves: Apolo and Julianne's chemistry sizzled mid-season when they finished in 1st place for two consecutive weeks, first for the Samba and then for the Rumba.
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Season 3: Emmitt Smith Partner: Cheryl Burke Best Moves: Emmitt and Cheryl's moves improved all season, then danced it out of the park during the finale, earning 2 sets of perfect 10s for their Samba and Mambo.
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Season 2: Drew Lachey Partner: Cheryl Burke Best Moves: The 98 degrees singer proved he could heat up the dance floor with Cheryl Burke; the dancing duo finished in 1st place for five out of the season's eight weeks.
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Season 1: Kelly Monaco Partner: Alec Mazo Best Moves: Kelly proved she was a major threat for the 'Dancing' title when her Freestyle garnered three 10s from the judges.
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