The eagerly desired "Dancing with the Stars" mirror ball trophy went to TV personality Brooke Burke and partner Derek Hough last night. The couple was crowned champs of ABC's ballroom dancing show after an elegant and just about perfect Viennese waltz got them a perfect 30 score from the show's judges. The public seemed to totally agree with judges, as they also gave the gold to Brooke and Derek.

The pair came in first place in eight episodes of the show and topped the season of one of U.S. TV's most popular shows with a perfect score of 30 on the final night and 88 points out of 90 for their last three dances. There’s more than talent behind such accomplishments. That’s what professionalism is all about, I guess.

The 37-year-old TV personality and mother of four dominated the seventh season of the popular ABC dancing competition and beat former NFL player Warren Sapp and former 'NSync member Lance Bass to the bush during the Tuesday night finale. The competition was indeed stronger than ever. Each finalist brought specific strengths to the show. Brooke Burke was technically strong and very consistent, Lance Bass and Lacey exhibited a great deal of stage presence, Warren Sapp and Kym consistently wowed the live audience with their exuberance.

“It was really trying,” Burke told PEOPLE, “physically, emotionally, you name it.” Once their names were announced, the usually composed Burke let the tears flow freely. “I think the emotional release was surreal,” a misty-eyed Burke gushed, “While we were standing up there, I said to Derek, ‘I can’t feel my feet!’

Apart from the dancing, Tuesday's finale was filled with appearances from singers Alicia Keys and Miley Cyrus and former contestants such as 82 year-old Cloris Leachman, who delighted audiences this season with her sense of humor. There’s no doubt that Cloris was excited to be back on stage, with the public supporting her unconditionally. Our co-hosts asked about Cloris’s rumored Broadway plans, but it turns out that 75% of Broadway is closing in early January because, you know, people don’t go to shows during the economic apocalypse, do they?

Moreover Tuesday night’s show brought back all of the eliminated contestants as well. Singer Toni Braxton, actress Cloris Leachman and sprinter Maurice Greene were among them.

Burke and her partner, Derek Hough, were the season-long front-runners, praised by the judges for their impeccable technique and cheered by the fans for the quality of their show. Hough, whose sister, Julianne, is a two-time "Dancing with the Stars" champ, seemed to be in shock as well. During Wednesday's finale, Burke earned one final set of perfect 10s from the judges after a impressive waltz to John Mayer's sentimental song "Daughters." Burke's fiancé, actor David Charvet, cried in the audience. It was a touching evening, indeed.