Matt wins X Factor

Bookies' favourite Matt Cardle has been crowned the winner of this year's X Factor.

The 27-year-old former painter and decorator declared "I'm so proud" after his name was called out by host Dermot O'Leary.

Cardle, from Colchester, Essex, beat fellow finalist Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson to take the 2010 title of the ITV1 talent show.

Earlier in the show, five-piece boy band One Direction were named as the third place runners up.

Cardle appeared overwhelmed by his win, walking straight across to hug runner up Ferguson and thanking "everyone" including his ecstatic mentor Dannii Minogue.

Ferguson was graceful in defeat, saying: "I'm so grateful, Matt is amazing, I'm happy I got this far."

Cardle, overwhelmed by emotion, then took to the stage to perform his winner's single. After completing the track, he joked: "I hope next time I sing it, I sing it a little bit better than that."

Simon Cowell added: "I've got to hand it to you Matt, you are one heck of a nice guy, you sang your way to win this show."