'This has been my best series by a long way!' Aliona Vilani QUITS Strictly after winning the show with Jay McGuiness amid criticism of their cosy relationship
- Announced her departure on Twitter after winning the 2015 series
- First appeared on Strictly in 2009 and has since returned for six seasons
- Won the series with McFly drummer Harry Judd in 2011
- Said dancing with The Wanted's Jay was her 'best Strictly experience ever'
- Pair raised eyebrows with their close relationship, and looked particularly cosy as they left show afterparty
- Jay dismissed romanced rumours and said Aliona was his 'best friend'
- Aliona married businessman Vincent Kavanagh on the Caribbean island of St Thomas in 2014
- This year, became the first professional ever to win the show twice
- Aliona was previously axed from the show in 2013 but returned to replace injured dancer Natalie Lowe that series
- For more of the latest Strictly news visit www.dailymail.co.uk/strictly
Aliona Vilani has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing just days after winning the latest series.
The professional dancer, who guided The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness to victory this season, has told fans her triumphant turn on the 2015 run would be her last.
Taking to Twitter, she explained: 'Going into this Strictly Come Dancing series 13, I decided that no matter what would happen, it will be my last one.'
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Last waltz: Aliona Vilani has sensationally quit Strictly Come Dancing just days after winning the series with celebrity partner Jay McGuiness
However, the blonde insisted that after seven years on the BBC hit, this season was her favourite by far.
She continued: 'After 7 years on Strictly Come Dancing, as my finale, this has been my best Strictly experience ever by a long way!'
Aliona joined the BBC show in 2007 and previously won with McFly's Harry Judd.
The announcement comes after the married dancer faced criticism over her very cosy relationship with the former The Wanted singer.
However, Jay insisted Aliona was his 'best friend' and said their chemistry on the show was all part of the act.
End of an era: Aliona, who has changed her handle to her married name Kavanagh on Twitter, revealed she had decided this series would be her last before it began
What a finish: The professional added that working to Jay had been her best time on the show in the seven years she worked on it
Very close: The announcement comes after the married dancer faced criticism over her cosy relationship with the former The Wanted singer
Look of love: However, Aliona Vilani looked blissfully happy as she left her last ever Strictly Come Dancing with husband Vincent Kavanagh after Saturday night's finale
Just the two of us: Aliona revealed she had quit as she jetted off to Florida with her husband Vincent Kavanagh
He explained on ITV's Lorraine chat show: 'When you dance with someone you have to create romance sometimes and people then want to see that almost.
'We did something that so few people do together, I genuinely will treasure it forever.
'Honestly, you spend that many hours together you talk about every single thing, like the most trivial and the most pretentious, literally everything. No matter what happens you get a best friend out of Strictly.'
After announcing her Strictly departure, Aliona jetted off to Florida with her husband Vincent Kavanagh and she has also changed her Twitter handle to her married name.
Aliona posted a picture of them on Twitter and wrote: 'Florida bound to see family! #HappyHolidays (sic).'
Silencing the critics: The blonde beauty was seen leading her Irish businessman husband - who she wed last year - by the hand after shooting her last ever Strictly following weeks of growing speculation surrounding her friendship with Jay McGuiness
All good friends: The couple enjoyed a laugh with Jay's former The Wanted bandmate Siva Kaneswaran
Eye contact: Aliona gazed adoringly at her partner as they headed home together after her victorious night on the ballroom floor
Her relationship with Jay was a regular talking point among fans of the show.
In pictures of the pair the day before their win, they could be seen walking along a road holding hands, before Aliona placed a tender hand around Jay's neck and pulled him towards hers.
There, she seems to whisper into the 25-year-old boyband singer's ear as he closes his eyes.
But, in the extraordinary pictures, they look every bit as much a couple off-screen as they did on it.
Champion: Jay spoke on ITV after his win to say he would 'treasure' the experience for his entire life. He previously denied anything romantic was involved in his close friendship with the blonde dancer
Sizzling: Jay insisted Aliona was his 'best friend' and said their chemistry on the show was all part of the act
They also regularly held hands on the red carpet and in between rehearsals, raising further eyebrows about their friendship.
Jay was quick to dismiss any speculation that their relationship was anything but platonic early on in the show.
The pop star - who is single - said: 'Aliona is happily married to an Irish fellow who I think is a legend.
'So my eyes won't wander in our rehearsals. She's the one in control and I'm the one who needs to be constantly told what the hell it is I'm supposed to be doing.'
Rumour mill: Aliona has been married to Irish businessman Vincent for over a year
Raising eyebrows: The pair's closeness sent ripples through Strictly fans from early on in the series, with the pair often being spotted out holding hands or in close embraces
In June 2013, it was claimed that Aliona had quit the show, though she insisted that she had been axed unwillingly.
She was said to be 'very upset' and 'in a state of shock' over the dismissal, which went in tandem with four other professionals who 'quit the show' that weekend.
'I feel I should make it clear that I haven't left, 'she said at the time. 'It was definitely not my decision and choice to leave Strictly - let's see what happens.'
Romance? Saturday's Strictly final saw one of the duo's steamiest dances yet
That's love: Jay has since said that Aliona is his 'best friend'
Close: Their chemistry and close connection was undeniable, but they have said it was not romance
Cute duo: Perfectly matched on the dancefloor, Jay and Aliona have grown very close
She also told The Mirror newspaper: 'It was not my decision to leave, I have only just been told by bosses that I was not coming back - they didn't give me a reason and I was too upset to ask why. I was just told that I was out and that was that.
'It was very difficult to hear, I had planned to be on the show this year so I will have to make new plans. Right now I am very upset and in a state of shock.'
Despite the disagreement with the show's producers, she was later invited back to replace injured dancer Natalie Lowe in September the same year to dance with championship golfer Tony Jacklin, but they were eliminated in the first week.
Best yet? Despite winning with Harry Judd in 2011, Aliona has called the latest series her best
Ending on a high: She will win with two victories in the bag, more than any other professional
She came back two more series after the shock sudden departure but joins Ola Jordan and Kristina Rihanoff in the stars to have quit after the current 2015 series.
A testament to her success, this year Aliona - who's also served as a guest on Dancing With The Stars in the US - became the first professional to win the show twice.
She even came very close in 2010 as well when television presenter Matt Baker took the runner up position to winner Kara Tointon.
So close: She came closest to her first glory in 2010 when she danced with Matt Baker
Early elimination: Aliona danced with Tony Jacklin in 2013 as she replaced injured dancer Natalie Lowe following a furor in which Aliona was allegedly sacked. The pair left in the first week
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