DOI winner Sam Attwater thanks partner Brianne

Sam Attwater says he wouldn't have won 'Dancing On Ice' if it wasn't for his professional partner Brianne Delcourt.

The former 'EastEnders' actor was crowned champion of the ITV1 show on Sunday (27.03.11) but says he owes it all to the blonde beauty, who he was romantically linked with at the beginning of the series, because she pushed him to do well.

He said: "I owe so much of this competition to Brianne. I wouldn't have improved the way I improved without her. All of the couples say they wish they had a relationship like ours."

Before Sunday's final - in which Sam competed against TV presenters Chloe Madeley and Laura Hamilton - the star injured his ribs but he believes the painkillers helped him through his performances of 'Riverdance' and 'Bolero'.

He told The Sun newspaper: "The only time I really felt pain in my ribs was in 'Riverdance'. I think the adrenaline and painkillers got me through it. Maybe that's why I was so chilled. 'The Bolero' was the first performance where I got everything right."

Sam is now going on the 'Dancing On Ice' tour but he is still not fully recovered from his injury so the physiotherapist is going with him.

He said: "I still have the strapping on. The physio said it won't heal overnight but we will work on it throughout the tour."