Odds-on favourite James Arthur triumphed in the X Factor final, beating Jahmene Douglas to win a recording contract.
The 24-year-old from Saltburn by the Sea on the north east coast of England, was backed in from 6/4 at the beginning of the week into 2/5 before last night’s show and secured 54% of the public vote.
He said: “I don’t believe it… I’ve just got to say thank you to the people who voted for me.”
He sang a rendition of Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On on Sunday’s show, as well as his choice of winner’s single, Shontelle’s Impossible.
Runner-up Douglas, 21, said it was “a blessing to share the stage with such a talent” and advised him to “use it wisely”.
Judge Nicole Scherzinger, who mentored both the finalists, described Arthur as “a fighter”.
She said: “He wanted this, he willed this to happen. He deserves this so much. I’m so proud of both my boys.”
Arthur’s single can be downloaded from the internet and is available in shops from Wednesday, an X Factor spokesman confirmed today.
All profits from sales of the single will go to the charity Together for Short Lives, which supports children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.
“I love the song and am so glad that proceeds of the single will be going to such a great cause, ” said Arthur.