Ashleigh and Pudsey win BGT final (From Warrington Guardian)

Ashleigh and Pudsey win BGT final

10:46pm Saturday 12th May 2012 in National Entertainment News © Press Association 2013

Ashleigh and Pudsey have become the first ever dog trick act to win Britain's Got Talent.

The 17-year-old and her pet beat favourites Jonathan and Charlotte to be crowned winners of the ITV reality show.

They charmed viewers with their fast-footed routine to the Mission Impossible theme.

Ashleigh, from Northampton, was in tears when presenters Ant and Dec broke the news. She said: "I just want to say thank you to everyone that voted for me, and I'm just so proud of Pudsey."

The teenager trained her pet to jump, dance on his hind legs, meander through her legs and even got him to run across the judges table. Pudsey - a border collie, bichon frise and Chinese crested cross - obviously won over fearsome judge Simon Cowell, who admitted he has a soft spot for dogs.

He said the pair were one of his "favourite ever acts". After their performance, he joked: "I actually think Pudsey is training you now.

"I adore both you. You you have got better and better as the competition has progressed and to do what you did in such a short time is a miracle."

Ashleigh joked that Pudsey had become "very diva-ish" during the last week, demanding steak dinners. The pair won £500,000 and will perform their routine at the Royal Variety Performance in front of the Queen.

Their win came as a shock to bookies who placed pop-opera duo Jonathan and Charlotte, aged 17 and 16 respectively, as the hot favourites.

The teens came in second place after their their "sensational" performance of The Prayer. Welsh boys choir Only Boys Aloud came in third place after their rendition of Calon Lan.