George Stephanopoulos

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By Georgina Littlejohn

Champions: Gymnastic group Spelbound were crowned this year's winners of Britain's Got Talent

They were the hot favourites to win this year's Britain's Got Talent final.

And last night, gymnastic group Spelbound proved they had what to took to capture the nation's heart as they were crowned the winners of the ITV talent show.

The accolade won them £100,000 and the chance to perform in front of the Queen at the Royal Variety Performance.

The 13 acrobats jumped up and down as they beat dance duo Twist and Pulse to the coveted top spot after the public vote put them above the dance duo and drummer Kieran Gaffney.

Amazing: Spelbound performed a dizzying routine that left everyone stunned and helped them become the winners of Britain's Got Talent

Clad in revealing black PVC costumes and sprayed with gold, the 13-strong group looked noticeably more tanned than usual as they mesmerised a TV audience of millions – it was revealed last week that a London salon had offered them free unlimited sunbeds after a magazine dubbed them ‘tasty but pasty’.

They were the only act in the final to receive a standing ovation from all three judges.

They said: 'This is unbelievable, thank you to everyone out there, this just goes to show our hard work paid off.'

Earlier they had impressed the judges and the voting public with their energetic and at times dangerous routine, which saw one of them being thrown over the heads of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and Piers Morgan.

The judges: Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, who wore a Ivory silk crepe v-neck fishtail gown by Ralph & Russo, and Piers Morgan

Amanda Holden told them: 'I am running out of adjectives to describe you. We are hosting the 2012 Olympics, what an opening act you would be.'

Simon Cowell added: 'Putting it in Olympic terms, That would have won the gold medal. One of the most astonishing things I have ever seen.'

The name Spelbound is derived from Spelthorne Gymnastics club in West London where the group, aged 12 to 24, all meet.

They beat Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy, both 19 years old, and also known as Twist and Pulse to take first place.

Twist and Pulse: Friends Ashley Glazebrook and Glen Murphy impressed with their original dance routine

Back to front: Tobias Mead started his act suspended from the air upside down before launching into his backwards performance

The dancing duo were the first act to perform and went down a storm with the judges and audience alike.

Piers Morgan told them: 'Sometimes people say it's a disaster to go first - you have set the bar tonight for people to follow. It was fantastic. really good.'

Amanda added: 'Tonight you've shown me there's more and more and more. You're on the money every single time.'

And Simon added: 'This was the best routine we've seen of you so far. Was really impressed with you guys tonight.'

Third place went to little drummer boy Kieran Gaffney, who drummed along to Wipeout as dancers bopped underneath his suspended drum kit.

Piers told him: 'You've got unbelievable talent at drumming, great to watch.'

Amanda, who looked stunning in a Ralph & Russo dress Ivory silk crepe v-neck fishtail gown with a center front split with a Swarovski crystal encrusted waist, added: 'Those drums were on fire tonight. I can't describe it.'

Little drummer boy: Kieran Gaffney plays the drums while suspended in the air over some dancers

And Simon added: 'You are a showman. What I love about you is that you've got real passion and enthusiasm and I absolutely really, really, really, like you.'

And sadly it wasn't meant to be for Tobias Mead, who didn't even make the final three, despite being a big hit among the judges and the fans of the show.

His elaborate performance saw him suspended from the ceiling before he launched into his backwards dancing routine.

Mini heartthrobs: Teenybop boy band Connected got the girls in the audience screaming with their Westlife cover

Piers told him he was a 'showman' who would go down a storm on stage in Las Vegas, while Amanda said his 'creativity and imagination is second to none'
She also told him: 'And you're fit. Eye candy and best dancer on this show.

Sadly, Simon's prediction that the show could have seen an upset with Tobias going all the way, wasn't to be

Singing sensations: Manchester schoolboy Liam McNally and accountant Christopher Stone sang their hearts out for the judges

Canine capers: Tina Humphreys and her dancing dog Chandi

Also performing tonight was Tina Humphreys and her amazing dancing dog Chandi, described by the judges as 'charming', 'entertaining' and 'gorgeous'.

Grandmother Janey Cutler, 80, melted everyone's hearts with her version of Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien, and was told by Amanda that she looked 'beautiful' while Simon told her she was a 'gutsy lady'.

No regrets: 80-year-old Janey Cutler sang Edith Piaf's Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien - in English

The night also wasn't meant to be for impressionist Paul Burling, who got a standing ovation after he took off Andy and Lou from Little Britain, Jeremy Clarkson, Graham Norton, Marjory Dawes, Billy Connolly, Chris Tarrant, David Jason, Uncle Albert, Simpson characters Homer and Marge, Mr Smithers and Crusty The Clown, as he sang his own version of the Proclaimers I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles).

Boy band Connected were also left disappointed after peforming a cover of Westlife's What About Now, teenager singer Liam McNally who performed Danny Boy, and Harrogate accountant Christopher Stone, who sang Somewhere from West Side Story and was told by Piers to give up his day job.

I want that one: Impressionist Paul Burling started his act as Andy from Little Britain and ended taking off Crusty The Clown

R&B singer Usher performed live on the show and was greeted by screams from the audience as he launched into his new single OMG.

He said: 'It's a pleasure to be here, some incredible talent tonight.'

Also performing was Dizzee Rascal and comedian James Corden, who debuted their World Cup song Shout.

James said: 'We tried to book the wood cutter to perform with us. Been a great series and can't wait to see who wins.'