Jodie is the people's Nancy

Cameron Mackintosh's search for the perfect Nancy came to a dramatic conclusion tonight as Blackpool's Jodie Prenger was declared the winner, despite both Mr Mackintosh and Andrew Lloyd Webber openly declaring they preferred her rival, Co Kerry's Jessie Buckley.

The final was the most nail-biting of all these shows so far - it looked so much as if Jessie was going to win, but when it came to the girls' head to head 'sing-off' of 'As Long As He Needs Me', Jodie showed she could deliver the safer performance. Jessie's rendition was vocally excellent although almost over-dramatic towards the end and Andrew did at that point express some concern as to whether Jessie could sustain that for eight shows a week. Andrew told Jodie that safe was good.

When the panel had to choose who was their Nancy, only Denise and John opted for Jodie. It seemed it was a foregone conclusion that Jessie would win based on the opinions of the other three judges. However, Jodie was declared the winner and will make a fantastically warm and real Nancy. Cameron Mackintosh's reaction? "I'm delighted for Jodie." Hardly reassuring for our winner, but just goes to show that if West End producers are going to throw these decisions open to the public, they have to accept the public's choice.

Personally speaking I think Jodie will bring great warmth and life experience to the role and I look forward to trying to book tickets to see her as soon as possible. Well done Jodie and big commiserations to Jessie, who looked understandably devastated at being runner-up having been built up so much by some of the judges. I am sure that Cameron and Andrew will make absolutely certain that she will have a West End role very, very soon.

Even though the show has ended, you can still continue to discuss it in the I'd Do Anything forum