Dancers beat Boyle in talent show

Highlights of the finale (courtesy of ITV / Talkback Thames)

Street dance group Diversity has been crowned the winner of this year's Britain's Got Talent TV show in a shock victory over favourite Susan Boyle.

The 11-strong group, aged 12 to 25, from Essex fell to the floor and cried in surprise when told of the win.

Member Ashley Banjo, 20, said winning the contest had "changed our lives".

The group defied bookmakers' predictions to win the £100,000 prize and the chance to perform at the Royal Variety Show in December.

'Utter perfection'

Diversity is made up of three sets of brothers and four friends and was only formed in 2007.

Still shocked about the victory, choreographer Banjo said: "When you said our name, honestly I'm going to wake up in a minute."

He also thanked everyone who had voted for the group.

Susan Boyle had been the favourite to win the talent show

After the performance, which included a cheeky reference to the judges' buzzers, judge Simon Cowell said: "If I had to give marks on that, that is the only performance tonight I would want to give a 10 to.

"There was not a step out of place, it was sheer and utter perfection."

Fellow judge Amanda Holden said Banjo's choreography was "second to none" and that Diversity had blown rival dance troupe Flawless "out of the water".

Throughout the competition the group had wowed the audience and received glowing comments from the judges, but the group was sixth favourite to win going into the final.

Album hopes

It had long been predicted that 48-year-old Boyle from West Lothian would run away with the title after gaining worldwide recognition thanks to her audition being watched by millions of people on the internet.

Whatever happens you can walk away from this with your head held high Simon Cowell

Gracious in defeat, she said that "the best people won" adding: "I wish you all the best."

Boyle, who sang audition song I Dreamed A Dream from Les Miserables again, did not appear to be too disappointed in defeat, however, as she gave a little dance on stage and hitched her dress up to show a leg.

After her performance, Cowell said: "Win or lose you had the guts to come back here and face your critics and you beat them - whatever happens you can walk away from this with your head held high."

Asked about her own plans on sister show Britain's Got More Talent, Boyle said: "I hope to get an album out - I'll just play it by ear."

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Congratulations to Diversity - they are excellent. While Susan Boyle came second this will not have damaged her future career

Eleanor Selwyn, Griffith

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Saxophonist Julian Smith came in third place behind the singer.

Although clearly disappointed, he said: "I'm just happy to have taken part - it's been phenomenal."

Apart from Boyle, none of the main frontrunners including street dancer Aidan Davis, 12-year-old singer Shaheen Jafargholi and comedy dance act Stavros Flatley, made it into the top three after the viewers' vote.

The other acts which took part included singers Shawn Smith, grandfather and granddaughter team 2 Grand and 10-year-old Hollie Steel.

It is thought the final may have been watched by as many as 20m people.

Diversity is the second dance act to win the talent contest after 15-year-old George Sampson won the show last year.