Strictly champ Joe McFadden is seen for the first time since lifting the glitterball trophy... after head judge Len Goodman's 'popularity' jibe

He was awarded the gliiterball trophy in Saturday's tensely-fought finale, with the public choosing him as the 2017 champion along with partner Katya Jones.

And Strictly Come Dancing winner Joe McFadden was still smiling on Monday as he exited an interview on The One Show, beaming as he posed for selfies with fans.

The 42-year-old actor made the appearance on the BBC show after head judge Len Goodman commented that Joe was voted the winner due to his 'popularity.' 

Scroll down for video

Still riding high: Actor Joe McFadden, 42, continued to sport his victory grin on Monday as he exited The One Show after being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion

Still riding high: Actor Joe McFadden, 42, continued to sport his victory grin on Monday as he exited The One Show after being crowned Strictly Come Dancing champion

Joe looked dapper in a pale grey suit as he exited the BBC studios, stopping to pose for selfies with waiting fans after revealing all about his Strictly victory.

The screen star had previously noted he was 'out of work' due to his character being killed off Holby City last week, telling the BBC: 'I am. I'm very optimistic about the future. Things are looking up.'

'I'm feeling really good and looking forward to having a really good rest over Christmas.

Riding high: Joe looked dapper in a grey three-piece suit as he exited the BBC studios, still smiling after lifting the glitterball trophy

Riding high: Joe looked dapper in a grey three-piece suit as he exited the BBC studios, still smiling after lifting the glitterball trophy

Legion of fans: Joe also stopped to pose for selfies with fans, after 13.1 million viewers saw him crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017

Legion of fans: Joe also stopped to pose for selfies with fans, after 13.1 million viewers saw him crowned the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2017

Smile of success! While Joe recently joked he was 'out of work' after being killed off on Holby City, the actor added that he is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas

Smile of success! While Joe recently joked he was 'out of work' after being killed off on Holby City, the actor added that he is looking forward to a relaxing Christmas

The former Holby City star was voted winner alongside partner Katya Jones, and former head judge Len Goodman offered his own opinion on the final during an appearance on This Morning earlier in the day. 

The 73-year-old ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe had 'a great journey' he had only reigned victorious because of his 'popularity.' 

When asked about Strictly's finale, Len revealed: 'I thought the final was great, I enjoyed it very much, there's a balance, probably Alex was the best dancer... Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that's lovely. 

Having his say: Former head judge Len Goodman, 73, offered his own opinion on the Strictly Come Dancing final, as he appeared on This Morning on Monday

Having his say: Former head judge Len Goodman, 73, offered his own opinion on the Strictly Come Dancing final, as he appeared on This Morning on Monday

Victorious: On Saturday's dazzling Strictly Come Dancing finale Joe  scooped up the Glitterball trophy with Katya Jones

Victorious: On Saturday's dazzling Strictly Come Dancing finale Joe scooped up the Glitterball trophy with Katya Jones

'The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it's marvellous,' the star - who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics - added. 

Len is currently acting as judge on the American equivalent of the dance reality show, after hanging up his Strictly Come Dancing shoes last year.

And the TV star also spoke of Shirley taking over his role, admitting she did a 'wonderful job.' 

Opinion: The ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe, 42, had 'a great journey' he had only reigned victorious because of his 'popularity'

Opinion: The ballroom dance guru admitted that while Joe, 42, had 'a great journey' he had only reigned victorious because of his 'popularity'

'Alex was the best dancer': Len offered his expert analysis on the show as he continued: 'Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that’s lovely'

'Alex was the best dancer': Len offered his expert analysis on the show as he continued: 'Joe, what a journey he had, he got through because of his popularity, and that's lovely'

Len continued: 'The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it’s marvellous'

Len continued: 'The judges give their input, the viewers have theirs, it's marvellous'

Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK's Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America. 

'People got very, very anal about this, saying 'the traitor'. It was all to do with my contract, it's an annual thing. The BBC only do one year - they can hire you or fire you. 

'In the US they sign you up for four years. I thought do I want to fly every week back to Britain from LA? I could not physically do it. 

'It's an 11 hour flight, eight hour time difference. You're there two days and then you're back,' he detailed the situation at hand. 

Suited and booted: Len - who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics - looked dapper in a blazer, red tie, checked trousers and red socks 

Suited and booted: Len - who was on the show to promote his album of Christmas classics - looked dapper in a blazer, red tie, checked trousers and red socks 

'It was all to do with my contract': Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK's Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America

'It was all to do with my contract': Len went on to offer more insight into the real reason why he left UK's Strictly to carry on Dancing with The Stars in America

Taking over: Shirley Ballas was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July

Taking over: Shirley Ballas was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July

Enjoyment: Len went on to have fun in the cooking segment with Gino D'Acampo
Enjoyment: Len went on to have fun in the cooking segment with Gino D'Acampo

Enjoyment: Len went on to have fun in the cooking segment with Gino D'Acampo

After Shirley was appointed as his replacement on Strictly Come Dancing in July, Len was quick to praise the former dance champion as a perfect fit for the show.

Appearing on This Morning again shortly after, he said: 'I've known Shirley for years and years – she's as good as gold. She knows her onions as far as ballroom and Latin is concerned.

'She knows what she's talking about which is wonderful. She's a lovely girl, she comes from up north. She's a smasher.

'Whoever the BBC picked I would've been happy with. They say no one heard of her but no one had heard of me, no one heard of Anton, no one heard of Bruno.'

Group shot: Len and Gino posed with Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes 

Group shot: Len and Gino posed with Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes 

Advertisement

Strictly winner Joe McFadden steps out after Len jibe

The comments below have not been moderated.

The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline.

We are no longer accepting comments on this article.