Alfonso Ribeiro has been crowned champion of 'Dancing with the Stars' after a closely-fought final against Janel Parrish and Sadie Robertson.

The 43-year-old actor emerged victorious from the US dance show after a closely fought final against 'Pretty Little Liars' star Janel Parrish and 17-year-old 'Duck Dynasty' personality Sadie Robertson. On being announced as the winner, he said: ''I cannot believe this. I've wanted it forever! My god, I don't even know what to say.''

In the show's final - which was broadcast last night (25.11.14) - Alfonso performed an action-packed fusion dance incorporating the cha cha and Argentine tango with dance partner Witney Carson, which was given a perfect score of 40 points from the panel of judges.

The final was touted as one of the closest-run episodes of the show's history with the three contestants entering the show within three points of one another. Ultimately, the father-of-two came out on top after the scores from previous episodes were added to the judges' scores and viewer votes.

The two runners up praised the star for winning the show and expressed their gratitude for making it so far in the competition. Sadie - who finished in second place - said: ''This has been an amazing experience and I just want to say I'm so thankful to God who has brought me this far in the completion,'' Janel added: ''I'm honestly just so lucky to be standing here next to him.''

The former 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air' star was a favourite to take home the Mirror Ball trophy from the beginning of the series but was affected by debilitating injuries throughout his run on the show which even resulted in him crying his way through a routine earlier this month due to excruciating back pain.