Teenager Joe McElderry has won the 2009 instalment of X Factor, receiving a �1m recording contract and an almost-guaranteed shot at the Christmas number one. He auditioned earlier this year, singing Luther Vandross's Dance With My Father.
He previously entered the competition in 2007, reaching the boot camp stage, but decided to leave because he felt he lacked experience. This year, however, he sailed through to the judges' houses stage, and was sent to the live shows by mentor Cheryl Cole.
Among the series' star guests was pop singer Robbie Williams, who coached Joe as he prepared to sing No Regrets.
On the final weekend, Joe was up against the tight-trousered Olly Murs and Essex girl Stacey Solomon. Despite singing with Michael Buble, Stacey was first to be evicted by the public vote, leaving on Saturday night.
Before the result was announced on Sunday's grand finale, Sir Paul McCartney took to the stage - performing Live and Let Die, and a version of The Beatles' Drive My Car that featured all 12 X Factor finalists on backing vocals.
Murs, who was known for his idiosyncratic dancing, was pipped at the post when the result was revealed. He had received around 38.7% of the 10m votes cast.
"I feel numb," said Joe after he won the title. "I literally can't believe it". Cole seemed to be shocked by the result, too, throwing her hands to her face and embracing her protege. "She was just as shocked as me," said Joe. "We were jumping all over!"
The newly-crowned champion performed his debut single - a cover version of Miley Cyrus's The Climb - surrounded by his former competitors. Afterwards, the 18-year-old said he had been on the verge of collapsing during the song.
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