Phil Burton is crowned the winner of Dancing With The Stars 2023 – beating Home and Away star Emily Weir

Phil Burton has been crowned the winner of Dancing With The Stars 2023.

The Human Nature singer beat Home and Away actor Emily Weir to take home the glittering Mirror Ball Trophy, and was awarded $20,000 for his chosen charity, NSW Police Legacy.

The remaining finalists competing on the night were actors Christie Whelan Browne and Virginia Gay, beloved comedian Mary Coustas and singer Paulini.

Phil and partner Ash-Leigh Hunter found themselves in first place for their Motown moves to Wilson Pickett’s Land of 1000 Dances, alongside Emily and her partner Lyu Masuda who performed a Spice Girls inspired Salsa. 

After combing the judges scores with the audience vote, Christie, Mary, Paulini and Virginia said goodbye, with Phil claiming the glittering gong. 

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

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.

‘And, you know, it is a competition but it doesn’t feel like it when you are out here and you are with all these amazing people. It’s been an absolute joy to be a part of it.

‘I also want to thank my family who were here tonight, my beautiful wife and my kids.’

Phil reserved his greatest praise for dance partner Ash-Leigh Hunter.

‘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’.

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

Phil and Ash-Leigh pushed themselves to the limit in the final performance

Phil and Ash-Leigh thrilled the audience with their show-stopping number 

The remaining finalists competing on the night were actors Christie Whelan Browne and Virginia Gay, beloved comedian Mary Coustas and singer Paulini. All pictured

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. 

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.’

‘And, you know, it is a competition but it doesn’t feel like it when you are out here and you are with all these amazing people. It’s been an absolute joy to be a part of it,’ he continued. 

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’