Ward said he was "thrilled" by the album's chart-topping success

The winner of the ITV1 talent show, whose debut single scooped the coveted Christmas number one spot, said it had been "an unbelievable six months".

"I still can't believe this is real. I'd like to thank all the fans for supporting me - without you all, I wouldn't be here today," said Ward.

Crazy, by Gnarls Barkley, held on to the number one spot in the singles chart for the fourth week in a row.

Ward held off a challenge by indie rockers The Zutons, whose latest album, Tired Of Hanging Around, entered the charts in second place.

The 21-year-old Mancunian's self-titled album has sold more than 201,000 copies since its release.

TOP FIVE UK SINGLES 1. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley 2. SOS - Rihanna 3. No Promises - Shayne Ward 4. From Paris to Berlin - Infernal 5. One - Mary J Blige & U2 Source: Official UK Charts Company

"I'm going to have a quiet celebratory drink tonight and then its back to work early tomorrow," said the singer, who won a �1m recording contract with Simon Cowell's company following his X Factor victory.

Completing the top five in the album charts was the Kooks' Inside In/Inside Out, followed by Massive Attack's 'best of' album, Collected, and The Streets's Hardest Way To Make An Easy Living.

Ward's latest single No Promises slipped one place in the UK chart to number three, behind SOS by Rihanna.

Infernal's From Paris To Berlin rose 30 places to number four, with Mary J Blige's One - in collaboration with U2 - at number five.