Michele English (34) and Russell Clement (30) are the winners of BBC Two’s The Restaurant.

In last night’s final they triumphed to win the once-in-a-lifetime prize of joining Raymond Blanc in opening a new restaurant.

Michele and Russell have an exciting few months ahead of them as they source a restaurant with Raymond.

While doing this, and planning for its launch next year, they will have the opportunity to gain even more experience and knowledge to further their development in every skill needed to open a restaurant by spending some time training at Brasserie Blanc in Bristol.

Front-of-house Michele comments: “When we applied for The Restaurant, we dreamed of winning and now that dream has come true we are so excited about the future and still can’t believe we are really going into business with Raymond Blanc!”

Adds chef Russell: “I am thrilled to have achieved what we set out to achieve after what has been a long and sometimes difficult journey. I am so looking forward to new and exciting times.”

Over eight weeks, viewers have seen nine couples competing for the incredible opportunity to go into business with legendary chef and restaurateur Raymond Blanc.

In the final, The Cheerful Souls Michele and Russell pitted their talents against front-of-house Alasdair Hooper and chef James Knight-Pachecho whose restaurant was called The Gallery.

For their ultimate showdown, the couples set off on board the Orient Express and were challenged to cook for, serve and delight 40 discerning guests, who included Raymond Blanc himself along with his tough inspectors, Sarah Willingham and David Moore.

With tiny galleys, narrow corridors and carriages swaying and rocking beneath them, the couples had to devise and deliver a lavish menu to passengers who were expecting nothing but the absolute best.

Both pairs worked tirelessly, and each had their share of triumphs and troubles, but it was Michele and Russell who ultimately proved to Raymond that they had what it takes.

Says Raymond: “I chose Michele and Russell as my winners because they worked together as the most outstanding team, they had the best and most consistent skills as a chef and front-of-house partnership and their restaurant regularly made a profit. I very much look forward to opening a restaurant with them.”

The runners-up are best friends James Knight-Pacheco and Alasdair Hooper. Faced with the elimination challenge more times than any other couple, they valiantly battled it through to make the final.

And, for them, there was also good news. Raymond offered them the opportunity to come and spend some time working and training with his team.

Raymond explains: “I couldn’t just say good-bye to James and Alasdair as they were such worthy finalists so I have offered them three months’ training at Le Manoir aux Quat’ Saisons to help them with their dream of opening a fine dining restaurant.”

James commented: “Obviously, we’re incredibly disappointed not to have won, but we are so pleased for Michele and Russell and couldn’t have lost to a more formidable opponent. We are 100% behind them and can’t wait to go along to their opening night.”

Alasdair continued: “This has been an amazing experience, a fantastic journey, and to see The Gallery in reality was the realisation of a dream we’ve had for years.

“This can only lead on to better things and we still hope to open a restaurant one day, but with the addition of a spell checker and some valium (maybe more for me than James)!”