This year’s Strictly Come Dancing champion, Olympian Louis Smith, is so chuffed at his latest victory he plans on keeping the infamous Glitter Ball on his mantel piece, The Sun newspaper reports!

Louis, who won silver in Gymnastics at this summer’s London Olympic Games, had previously admitted that, despite being the bookies favourite to win the competition in which he danced with professional dancer, Flavia Cacase, he did not expect to win as he was “more of a runner-up type of guy!”

However, after turning his show dance into a contemporary ballet dance combined with sensational, yet somewhat understated gymnastic moves, as well as some crisp and clean Argentine Tango and Rhumba steps, he wowed judges and audiences alike with his breath-taking performance, which won him his first perfect 40 score, and the competition.

Now, still a tad overwhelmed, and deservedly proud, Louis has admitted that he treasures his new trophy so much he intends to keep it where everyone can see it – on his mantel piece!

He said: “I’m going to keep the glitterball on the top of my fireplace in my new house that’s being built. Right in the middle. I’ll stick the medals in a drawer.”

And the star, who impressed the ladies by performing topless during Saturday’s spectacular final, has also admitted that, now with the games and the show over, his New Year’s resolution is to find love – ladies form a queue behind us!
“The benefit of being single is that you don’t have to buy anyone presents at Christmas.

“But I am looking forward to getting into a relationship. I don’t like the whole single life.

“It is fun but I prefer to be in a relationship.”

But, in the meantime, and after such a gruelling year following strict, self-imposed rules, including a ban on alcohol, Louis celebrated his success by letting his hair down and partying at the BBC wrap party till 2am, before finishing the evening at 5am at a strip club.

Speaking to the publication, Louis admitted to looking forward to celebrating in style, explaining: “I can’t wait to have a drink.

“I’ve been on a diet these last two weeks. I was on no carbs in the evening, only white meat or fish, only couscous and meat in the afternoon and porridge and fruit in the morning. I’ve been teetotal.

“I just didn’t want to have a bit of stuff hanging over the edge of those tight trousers.”

When asked how the Games and Strictly compare, he said: “They’re so different. I worked 19 years for the Olympic Games — it was something I worked for my whole life, but this right now has overtaken everything.

“It’s fantastic, and to do it with Flavia — it’s unbelievable.”

He admitted: “Stepping off the dance floor is more painful than leaping off the pommel horse. My heels are killing me. I can’t wait to get the hard shoes off.”

With regards to his dance partner, Flavia, who he describes as “the most patient person in the world” he continued: “When I get it wrong she smiles and walks back to the CD player and starts it again and smiles on the way back. Not once did she lose patience.”

But Louis still can’t quite believe he has won the show, and even admits he thought the trophy would go to Girls Aloud singer, Kimberley Walsh: “Kimberley was so good; I was prepared for her to win. We had such good fun so when they announced it I couldn’t believe it.”

Normally shy and controlled, Louis went on to credit the show with building-up his confidence, adding: “I’m definitely more outgoing. I’ve learnt to be more reserved with gym because you’re representing your sport and want to be a role model. It’s nice to let loose a bit and let people see what I’m all about, which isn’t straight-down-the-line, strict Louis.”

“I have been pretty much non-stop since April. This has been nuts, to go from the Olympics to this. I’m going to sit on a sofa, get loads of food and only get up to go to the toilet.”

But all that may be about to change, as Louis, who has been partnered with Olla Jordan in this year’s Strictly tour, admitted he wasn’t sure about competing in gymnastics anymore:

“It will take me a while to get back into it and if I was looking at competing it would be 2014. When the tour finishes I’ll have to get ready in a couple of months, too soon before the World Championships in October.”

“I will definitely go back into the gym even if I don’t compete because it keeps my body in tip-top condition.”

So what does the future hold for him instead? Reality TV, it would seem:

“I wouldn’t mind having a set of cameras following me around, acting the prat. That would be funny.”

Watch Louis & Flavia’s perfect show dance performance in the clip below: