The winner of Dancing With The Stars 2023 is Phil Burton.
The NSW Police Legacy charity received $20,000 from the Human Nature singer, who defeated Home and Away actor Emily Weir to win the glistening Mirror Ball Trophy.
Actors Christie Whelan Browne and Virginia Gay, well-known comedian Mary Coustas, and singer Paulini were the remaining contestants competing that evening.
For their Motown routines to Wilson Pickett’s Land of 1000 Dances, Phil and partner Ash-Leigh Hunter came in first place, followed by Emily and partner Lyu Masuda’s salsa inspired by the Spice Girls.
Christie, Mary, Paulini, and Virginia left after adding the judges’ ratings and the audience vote, with Phil taking home the glistening trophy.
The Human Nature singer beat Home and Away actor Emily Weir and partner Lyu Masuda (right) to take home the glittering Mirror Ball Trophy, and was awarded $20,000 for his chosen charity, NSW Police Legacy
It seems sense that the winning crooner was overjoyed when he won.
He said to hosts Daryl Somers and Sonia Kruger, “These last seven weeks have just been so incredible for this show.” “I’ve had the time of my life,” you say.
And even though it is a competition, it doesn’t feel that way when you are out here with all of these incredible people. Being a part of it has been a true joy.
“I also want to thank my family for coming out tonight, my lovely wife and my kids,” he continued.
Phil’s biggest praise was reserved for Ash-Leigh Hunter, his dancing partner.
But Ash deserves the most praise from me, he said the cheering crowd.
She’s revealed a side of myself that I didn’t even know I had.
Phil and partner Ash-Leigh found themselves in first place for their Motown moves to Wilson Pickett’s Land of 1000 Dances, alongside Emily and Lyu who performed a Spice Girls inspired Salsa
The finale leaderboard saw Phil and Ash-Leigh on 39 points, equal footing with Emily and partner Lyu Masuda.
Virginia Gay and partner Ian Waite, and Christie and Craig Monley, came in equal third with 36 points.
Mary Coustas and Aric Yegudkin followed on 31 points, with Paulini and Igor Ifliand rounding out the night on 30 points.Â
The successful crooner was understandably elated at his win. ‘This show has just been so incredible for the last seven weeks,’ he told hosts Daryl Somers and Sonia Kruger. ‘I’ve had the absolute time of my life.’
Phil reserved his greatest praise for dance partner Ash-Leigh. ‘But the biggest thanks for me has to go to Ash,’ he told the jubilant audience. ‘She’s brought out a side in me that I never even knew existed’
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