'I don't know what the hell to say': Matt Cardle is crowned winner of the X Factor

By CHRIS JOHNSON

Winner: Matt Cardle has been crowned the X Factor 2010 champion in a closely fought contest which saw Rebecca Ferguson come in second place followed by One Direction

Matt Cardle has been crowned winner of the the X Factor 2010.

Rebecca Ferguson came in second place after One Direction settled for third place earlier in the show.

The 27-year-old painter-decorator broke down in tears after being given the news by show host Dermot O'Leary.

Gracious: Rebecca said she was delighted for Matt and was just 'so grateful' to have come as far as she did in the contest

'I do not have a clue what the hell to say,' he said as an emotional mentor Dannii Minogue hugged him.

'Congratulation to everyone who go to this stage. I want to thank all the judges, Dannii especially.'

Dannii added: Thank you, thank you for ever single vote. This man will not let you down. It's been an incredible 10 weeks.'

Champion: An emotional Matt performed his winner's single for the second time of the night, the Biffy Clyro hit When We Collide

Support: He was joined on stage by his fellow X Factor finalists, although Cher Lloyd, who exited the contest last night, was a no-show

Accepting her defeat graciously, Rebecca said: 'I'm so happy, so grateful and Matt's amazing. I'm just so happy to have got this far.

Earlier, One Direction were given their marching orders. Speaking afterward the result, mentor Simon Cowell said: 'I'm absolutely gutted for them.' But hinting a recording contract could still be on the cards, he added: 'All I can say is that this is just the beginning for these boys.'

One Direction member Zain Malik added: 'We're definitely going to stay together this is not the end.'

Absolutely gutted: One Direction are the first of tonight's X Factor finalists to get the boot with Cowell saying he was 'gutted for them' but adding 'this is not the end'

We're through: Matt and Rebecca react with shock as they are told they are in the final two

Now Rebecca and Matt will battle it out to be crowned winner.

For their final competitive song of the night, they performed their winner's single.

Matt was up first with a cover of Many Of Horror by Scottish indie rockers Biffy Clyro.

'You sang that from the depth of your heart,' Cheryl told him. 'Whatever happens tonight I wish you the best of luck

Picking himself up after his band's loss, Cowell added: 'Back to business...

thoroughly well deserved both of you. Matt, that was an incredible song. The best performance of the whole series so far.'

In it to win it: Matt performs his winner's single, When We Collide by Biffy Clyro after getting through to the final two in the contest

'That was absolutely amazing,' mentor Dannii said, 'And with a voice like that we're looking at a true star.'

Asked how he felt by host Dermot O'Leary, Matt said: 'It's the best feeling in the entire world, bro. Feeling sorry for One Direction, but really happy for Rebecca too.'

Rebecca Ferguson's winner's song is a cover of Distant Dreamer, as originally covered by Duffy.

Emotional: Rebecca's winner's single was a cover of the Duffy song Distant Dreamer

Raising the roof with the performance, the Liverpudlian single mother of two became tearful as she was given huge praise from the judges following her efforts.

Louis pleaded again for the public to vote for the 24-year-old hopeful, while Cowell said he couldn't call who was going to win.

'That song was absolutely perfect for you Rebecca,' Simon said. 'I have to tell you I can't call this. I don't know what's going to happen.

On form: Take That returned to the stage and performed their hit song The Flood shortly before the winner was set to be revealed

Dannii added:'Rebecca that was a beautiful performance and I'm so glad you turned up at auditions.'

Mentor Cheryl then told her: 'I could talk about this girl all night. You are a true star inside, outside, vocally. You've been a dream to work with and I hope you realise your dream tonight and are crowned winner.'

Before One Direction's exit, some of the most colourful and wacky X Factor hopefuls from the entire series, including escort girl Chloe Mafia who made it through to the boot camp stages of the show, performed a group rendition of Lady Gaga's Bad Romance.

Ensemble: Some of the most colourful and controversial contestants from the series performed a group rendition of Lady Gaga's bad romance, escort girl Chloe Mafia seen centre in a revealing outfit

Rebecca first song of the night was the Eighties hit by the Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This), and certainly gave the other finalists some hot competition.

Simon told her: 'That's what you call pulling the rabbit out of the hat. That was a brilliant song song choice and a stunning performance.'

Dannii agreed saying 'that song connected with your inner diva,' while mentor Cheryl added: 'Your star is shining brighter than ever,' before pleading with the public to pick up the phone and vote.

High praise: Rebecca Ferguson performed the Eighties hit by the Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

WAG on the scene: Coleen Rooney reported live from a crowd-strewn street in Liverpool, Rebecca's homeland

Louis also made an impassioned plea for the public to vote for Rebecca, saying: 'This is my last chance to ask everybody to vote for Rebecca. You are living proof that nice people can do well in the music industry. Vote Rebecca.'

'This is the girl who could sell the most records internationally over anybody else in the competition,' he added.

There were also lively scenes in Liverpool where WAG Coleen Rooney was reporting live from Rebecca's hometown.

One Direction vied for viewer votes with their take on a Natalie Imbruglia classic, Torn.

First band to win it? One Direction performed their take on Natalie Imbruglia's Torn

To screams from the excited X Factor audience, the judges gave them a huge thumbs up.
'You've got brilliant chemistry and I love the harmony and we've got five new popstars,' Louis told them.

'Whatever happens tonight I'm sure you guys are going to go on and release records and be the next big boyband,' Dannii added.

Mentor Simon then reminded the judges that this is a competition, and said that would love to see his act take the crown and be the first band to win the show.

Keeping their fingers crossed: Corrie star Michelle Keegan reported live from Louis Tomlinson's hometown of Doncaster

Corrie's Michelle Keegan was back in Louis's hometown of Doncaster where she chatted to his friends amid manic scenes of cheering fans.

Matt Cardle was first on to the stage for his solo performance, singing a colourful rendition of Katie Perry's Firework.

He was joined on stage by an a string orchestra clad in yellow and an army of dancers in blue as mentor Dannii watched on enthusiastically.

All the judges gave the 27-year-old painter-decorator glowing reports.

Lively: Matt Cardle was the first contestant to take to the stage for his solo performance, singing Katy Perry's Firework

Suitably impressed: The judges gave the painter-decorator a standing ovation following his efforts

'Another fantastic performance... and it would be lovely to see you crowned winner so good luck,' Cheryl Cole told him, putting aside her bias to her act Rebecca.

Simon was equally complimentary, although was not a fan of the contestant's neon trousers.

'Apart from the yellow trousers, I thought that was absolutely fantastic. I thought you sounded better tonight than you did last night.'

Former X Factor finalist and I'm A Celebrity winner Stacey Solomon actually made it on to the TV screen tonight for the outside broadcast live from Matt's home of Colchester in Essex after failing to get in shot last night.

Crowd support: Former X Factor finalist Stacey Solomon actually made it on screen tonight as she reported live from Matt's hometown of Colchester in Essex

Crowd pleaser: Take That joined the three finalists on stage as they performed their hit Never Forget together to open the show

Take that helped the three finalists open the X Factor final with a bang as they joined them on stage to sing their 1995 hit track Never Forget.

One Direction emerged on to the stage first, shortly followed by Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle before the chart-topping band emerged with microphone stands in hand.

Earlier the judges made their final entrance of the series, with Cheryl Cole opting for a stunning red gown and Dannii going for white, the opposing colours of the outfits they wore last night.

Wanting to win it: Rebecca Ferguson and Matt Cardle also sang the hit track

Opening song: One Direction, from left Niall Horan, Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Zain Malik and Louis Tomlinson

Here they come: X Factor judges, from left Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh, Cheryl Cole and Simon Cowell

The Final: 3rd Place - The X Factor Live Final (Full Version)