By Christopher Michaud

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Donny Osmond danced his way to victory on Tuesday, winning the 9th season of the hit ABC television show "Dancing With the Stars" after wowing the judges with his irrepressible determination and final tango.

Osmond, a lifelong performer who started in show business as a member of The Osmond Brothers singing group in the 1960s and 1970s, beat out the front-runner for much the 10-week competition, Grammy award-winning singer Mya.

The third finalist Kelly Osbourne, daughter of rocker Ozzy Osbourne who was in the audience to cheer her, charmed the show's judges but placed third behind Mya based on scores for the three contestants' performances Monday and Tuesday nights, as well as votes from television viewers after Monday's show.

Osmond was overjoyed at his win, screaming out "Tom! Yeah!" in a nod to host Tom Bergeron, and holding the silver disco ball trophy aloft in triumph alongside his dancing partner, Kym Johnson.

He pulled his sister Marie, who competed on a previous season, from the audience to join the ballroom floor celebration that capped a two-hour live broadcast from Hollywood.

Osmond, dancing with Johnson, impressed the program's three judges with his consistent showmanship, drive and determination, and he improved week after week on the program.

He danced an Argentine Tango for his final night freestyle, causing judge Carrie Ann Inaba to dub his performance "artistry in motion." Judge Len Goodman said Osmond "finished strong" in the final two nights.

Mya, the judges said, had shown the most natural ability from the start, while Osbourne turned on the charm, drawing great affection and growing better as the season went on.

Highlights of Tuesday's finale included performances by Whitney Houston and appearances by this season's eliminated contestants, including former U.S. House of Representatives Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who returned to dance the Texas Two Step that an injury kept him from doing earlier in the series.

Past season celebrity contestants such as Jerry Springer and Cloris Leachman also appeared.

(Editing by Bob Tourtellotte)