Bindi Irwin was crowned the winner of the US series of 'Dancing with the Stars'.

She said after being crowned the winner: "Thank you so much for everything. I can't believe I'm here."

The pair reduced audiences around the world to tears with their mesmerising quickstep to 'Dr Bones' by Cherry Poppin' Daddies before they swiftly moved into a freestyle dance to Leona Lewis' emotional 'Footprints in the Sand.'

In a pre-recorded video before they performed the dance, Derek said:

"It reminds me of where you're from and your dad always being there no matter what."

Bindi added: "I've tried to just remember his strength, knowing that Dad is kind of still with me."

And, although fellow finalists Nick Carter and Alek Skarlatos were also awarded the top score of 30 by the judges, it was the viewers'

votes that brought Bindi out on top.

Prior to the final show last night, Bindi took to her Instagram account to share the last ever photo she had taken with her father before his death and to gush about their bond.

She wrote: "The last photo ever taken of us as a family. The day before I had to wave goodbye to my hero, without knowing it would be the last time.

"But Dad, I know you walk beside me always and your strength lives within me. I love you."

Steve - nicknamed the Crocodile Hunter - died in 2006 aged just 44 when a stingray struck its barb into his heart while he was filming his daughter's show 'Bindi the Jungle Girl.'