It was a grand final crammed with top-scoring dances from all three contestants.
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Oduba and Clifton scored the first 40 of the final and topped the leaderboard, with the two other couples taking joint second.
But the final decision was down to voters at home.
Following Oduba’s final dance – a reprise of week four’s jive which earned him straight 10s – Goodman called him “the spirit of Strictly”, as someone who had entered the series “with no dance background at all”.
A tearful Oduba described the win as “the most incredible experience of my life”.
His partner, Clifton, said: “You’ve become a dancer. You’re a dancer.”
During the live final, each couple performed three dances – their favourite of the series, a showdance and a third dance chosen by the judges.
The Hollyoaks star, Danny Mac, has consistently scored well on the series.
Judge Bruno Tonioli called Mac’s top-scoring samba “one for the history books”, adding that “it will never be forgotten”.
Former Eternal singer Redknapp had been the “most consistent dancer”, according to Goodman.
At the scene
By Lauren Turner, BBC entertainment correspondent, Elstree
It was always going to be an emotional night.
Not only was it the culmination of 13 weeks of hard work from the finalists and their partners to deliver the fun, fireworks and fancy footwork that has made this year’s Strictly the most-watched in its history.
But it was also the last time Len Goodman wielded his scoring paddle – the last time we’d hear his “severrrrn!” or “it’s a 10 from Len” – in the dance series, having been head judge since it began back in 2004.
Emotion was etched on the face of the professional dancers as they performed a ballroom tribute in his honour.
It was the fourth consecutive final for her partner Kevin Clifton, who is yet to win the trophy. That victory was to go his sister, Joanne, who partnered Oduba.
Standing ovation
This year’s other contestants were also there to cheer on the finalists and perform one final group dance which included a reprise of Ed Balls’s memorable routine to Psy’s Gangnam Style.
On his final appearance, Goodman received a standing ovation from the crowd and his fellow judges.
Dancers and contestants from former series paid their tributes. Craig Revel Horwood called him “extraordinary” and a “very good friend”.
Goodman said: “I will miss everything about the show.”
His replacement as head judge is yet to be announced.
Image caption The 15 celebrities who started out on Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year
This year’s other contestants, in the order they left the show, were:
Melvin Odoom (left in week two)
Tameka Empson (week three)
Will Young (week three)
Naga Munchetty (week four)
Lesley Joseph (week five)
Anastacia (week six)
Laura Whitmore (week seven)
Daisy Lowe (week eight)
Greg Rutherford (week nine)
Ed Balls (week 10)
Judge Rinder (week 11)
Claudia Fragapane (week 12)
Read more about the Strictly finalists’ highlights and lowlights:
Danny Mac
Famous for: Being an actor – he appeared on long-running soap Hollyoaks.
Known on Strictly for: His shirt “accidentally” coming undone – and occasionally being so good he is confused for one of the professional dancers.
Grand final dances: The couple’s favourite dance will be their samba to Magalenha by Sergio Mendes. Their showdance will be performed to Set Fire to the Rain by Adele. Mabuse said the dance will express Mac’s journey on Strictly Come Dancing and how “Strictly has made him a better person”.
Best moment: “The best moment for a high was probably the samba and getting that score – the first time everything went as good as it could possibly have been.”
Worst moment: “It was the foxtrot, the disappointment Oti felt that she hadn’t done enough. It broke my heart that she felt she hadn’t done enough for me.”
Key quotes:
“This is the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. Oti is one of the most remarkable people I’ve ever met.”
“None of us will ever be as good as the pros. Which means there’s always so much to learn. If it’s working, Oti will make it harder. She will push me and push me and push me.”
“We had the most unlikely group of friends on the show. I have the coolest What’s App group in the world – it’s absolutely mad. It really is brilliant and I’m so proud to be a part of it.”
“The thing I was most terrified about on this show was being myself.”
Known on Strictly for: Getting emotional and shedding a few tears – on more than one occasion.
Grand final dances: Oduba and Clifton will take to the dancefloor with a jive to Runaway Baby by Bruno Mars, their favourite of the series. Their showdance will be set to I Got Rhythm by George and Ira Gershwin.
Best moment: “For me, the best thing has been learning to dance with such an amazing friend.”
Worst moment: “Being in the dance-off for the first time for the salsa. In that moment, the whole Strictly experience flashes before your eyes and within a dance, you might not be able to do this again. And it’s crushing.”
Key quotes:
“This show has gone beyond my wildest dreams. There’s something about that live audience, something about knowing the whole country is watching you in that moment.”
“I didn’t dance at my own wedding – we didn’t do a routine.”
On getting compared to Gene Kelly in Singin’ in the Rain: “That’s going to be banked in the memory for some time.”
Famous for: Performing with girl band Eternal and as a solo singer.
Grand final dances: The dance picked by the pair to repeat for the final is their Argentine Tango to Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor. Their showdance will be to One Moment in Time by Whitney Houston, which Clifton said was “going to be based on Louise… her story on Strictly, how she’s developed from the beginning to the end”.
Best moment: “The moment I enjoyed most was probably with my feathers, in Big Spender – getting to stand up there with two big feathers, shimmying, it’s good fun.”
Worst moment: “Apart from wearing a fruit hat on Saturday, which wasn’t one of my finest moments – I had a slight meltdown over wearing the fruit hat – I cried in rehearsals trying to learn the rumba and I’m not that person – I don’t cry when I can’t get something. I just get on with it. I never thought Strictly would affect me like that.”
Key quotes:
“I did (Strictly) for real personal reasons – I just wanted to do something for me. Anyone who’s got kids knows that your life becomes very wrapped up in them and you end up doing nothing that you love doing. So Strictly for me was always about week by week, making the most of it, enjoying it. And just really getting back out there and remembering I love performing.”
“When I started doing the show, I thought it’s so not going to be up [husband] Jamie’s street – but I can’t get rid of him! He’s in the front row, in the training room… I wasn’t expecting that. It’s nice to see someone you love extremely proud of you. It takes me back to 20 years ago when we first met. All good things come out of Strictly.”
“Saturday night, for me… I’m so proud to be there. I’m going to give it my best and enjoy every minute of it.”
