[Smithy]

The winner of next year's X Factor will not be able to challenge for the 2011 Christmas number one, it has been revealed.

Due to the launch of the US version of the singing contest, next year's ITV series will not begin until November, according to The Sun.

This means that the final would not take place until March 2012, depriving the winner of the opportunity to take part in the usual end-of-year chart battle.

Previous X Factor winners Shayne Ward, Leona Lewis, Leon Jackson and Alexandra Burke have all claimed the coveted festive number one spot, but last year's winner Joe McElderry lost out to Rage Against The Machine following an internet campaign.

I'm pleased about this, we don't have to have a cover or a mess of a noise at number 1