Winner James Arthur goes for X-mas factor

 
Judges Nicole Scherzinger with James Arthur Pic: Rex features
10 December 2012
The Weekender

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An " absolutely overwhelmed" James Arthur will try to top the Christmas charts after being crowned the X Factor winner.

The 24-year-old singer, from Saltburn, near Middlesbrough, beat Jahmene Douglas to take the title in front of a 10,000-strong audience at Manchester Arena last night.

Millions more were watching the ITV show live on television as a stunned Arthur was lost for words as the result was announced.

Asked what was going through his mind, he said: "I don't know. Thank you, thank you so much."

"Wow. I don't what to say," he added.

In a later statement, he said: "I am absolutely overwhelmed to have won The X Factor."

Arthur walks away from the talent show with a recording contract and will now release his winner's single, a rendition of Impossible by Barbadian singer Shontelle, in a bid to become the Christmas number one.

After being announced as the champion of the ninth series of the show, a dazed-looking Arthur performed the song for the second time tonight.

He was hugged by Nicole Scherzinger, who mentored both him and runner-up Douglas, the first time a judge has mentored both acts to make it to the final.

The former Pussycat Doll, who looked glamourous in a black fishtail gown, jumped up and down in excitement at his success.

Host Dermot O'Leary said Douglas had been a "terrific runner up" and told the shy singer he thought he had "blossomed" during the competition.

The 24-year-old from Swindon, Wiltshire, was magnanimous in defeat, saying: "I think it's just a blessing to share the stage with such a talent. You're so amazing James, use this platform, use it wisely."

Both finalists had the chance to perform two songs during the two-hour programme, with each showcasing the singles they would release if they won as they made their final bid to win the public's vote.

Douglas was accompanied by a choir as he sang his soulful take on Let It Be by the Beatles before Arthur sang Impossible.

Judge Tulisa Contostavlos, who admitted she was rooting for Arthur to win, told him: "From the second I saw you perform I got you. I get you.

"You've been to the depths in life, the deep, dark depths and you've come out. You're an inspirer."

Scherzinger had been moved to tears within the first 20 minutes of the programme by Douglas's first song.

The pair also had to choose a song they had previously sung during the competition, with Douglas deciding to sing his pared-down version of Angels by Robbie Williams.

A weeping Scherzinger told him: "When I watch you up there you just bring so much spirit and hope to the show. When I watch you sing I just feel safe. You're an angel."

Douglas was followed by Arthur who attempted to seduce the female judges by dancing up against them during his rendition of Marvin Gaye's Let's Get It On.

Barlow said of Arthur: "You're already ready now to record and play shows and can tell you for now mate, I'm ready to download your albums right now, I really am."

The show kicked off with a Christmas medley by former contestants from the series.

But Liverpudlian Christopher Maloney, who was voted out of the competition in last night's show, was missing from the line up.

He wrote on Twitter that he had a sore throat but later took to the microblogging site to deny claims it was because he had stormed out of rehearsals and had a row with fellow contestant Carolynne Poole, saying that he was being "bullied".

Arthur's single is ready to download from the internet now and will be "rush released" and in shops from Wednesday, a X Factor spokesman said.

All profits from sales of the single will go to the charity Together for Short Lives, which gives support to children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions.

Arthur's statement added: "To have been be able to perform my winners single was just insane. I love the song and am so glad that proceeds of the single will be going to such a great cause."

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