Photo: Wenn
Having relinquished his vice-like grip on the festive No.1 in recent years, Simon Cowell has topped the festive charts again this year with Ben Haenow.
Beating Mark Ronson's inescapable 'Uptown Funk' and Ed Sheeran's 'Thinking Out Loud', The X Factor winner's debut single 'Something I Need' sold over 214,000 copies, making it the second best selling single of the year, behind Band Aid. All proceeds go to children's charity Together For Short Lives.
Elsewhere in the charts, Gigwise office favourite The Wealdstone Raider's 'Got No Fans' came in at No.5, narrowly behind Olly Murs new one with Demi Lovato. Despite a spirited attempt The Pogues' peerless 'Fairtytale of New York' only made No.11.
There was also further proof that an X Factor appearance may not be necessarily sufficient to secure sales: Idina Menzel's duet with Michael Buble only made No.110.
X Factor winners secured the Christmas number one in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2013. Haenow's victory was the lowest ratings for a final since the show's first ever series in 2004, watched by 8.4 million people.
The X Factor Live tour kicks off in February. Buy tickets securely and safely with Seatwave.
