Joe Mc Elderry

Joe McElderry won the X Factor in 2009, beating Olly Murs in the final.  Mentored by the public's favourite Cheryl Cole , his smiley norhern personality coupled with his powerful and melodic voice made him an early favourite in the series.  Olly Murs seemed  a more commercial proposition and he was certainly more at ease with dancing, but in the end it was Joe's voice that wn him the show.

Having experienced the phenomenon of Jedward, the tuneless Irish twins who hijacked much of the X factor's publicity for 2009, it was a relief all round that the X factor's dignity was in tact with a vocal talent winning.