Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards wins ITV's Splash!

Splash Credit: ITV

Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards dived to victory in front of millions of viewers on ITV on Saturday night to win the first ever series of Splash!

He didn't just impress judges Andy Banks, Jo Brand and Leon Taylor - it was ultimately down to the viewers to decide in a public vote.

The Eagle landed perfectly with his first dive and taking a maximum 30 points for the two-and-a-half somersault from the 10 metre board.

It had not been an easy week for Edwards who lost his confidence in training with a series of painful belly and back flops.

But with his game face on and after his flawless showing, celebrity judge Jo Brand told him:

More was to come from Eddie with his final attempt - an inward one and a half pike synchronised dive with Tom Daley.

The judges loved it scoring him 29 out of 30 and taking his total to 59 out of 60.

Fellow competitor Linda Barker who said she was "doing it for the girls" kept the competition tough.

As did actor Jake Canuso who, for his first dive, performed a tough handstand off the 10 metre board.

But after the viewers had their say, Eddie walked away with the Splash! trophy.

Speaking after being crowned the winner Eddie 'the Eagle' Edwards said:

On tonight's programme each celebrity had to perform the tough challenge of a synchronized dive with Tom Daley.

Tom said he was "amazed" by the way that Eddie had progressed, and how quickly he picked up his diving skills.

  • Tom Daley has mentored 15 celebrities over the course of the ITV series

  • Contestants have pushed themselves to further levels of difficulty in the series

  • Daley has already said he wants to return for a second series of the show

The success of the show has prompted a leap in sales for skimpy swimwear, according to retailer Debenhams. The firm says the show has encouraged people to have the confidence to try more revealing costumes.

One heat of the show saw a sales boost for swimwear of 58% the following day - despite a chill in the air - when viewers saw Caprice, Charlotte Jackson and Anthony Ogogo showing off their physiques in barely-there costumes.