[Locke.]

Simon Cowell has claimed that the X Factor winner is "guaranteed" the Christmas number one.

The music mogul revealed that 500,000 copies of winning single 'Hallelujah', originally recorded by Leonard Cohen, have already been ordered, despite the fact that the eventual version is yet to be revealed.

"It's a classic pop song and they've all done three very different versions,” he said of the show's finalists JLS, Eoghan Quigg and Alexandra Burke.

“The advance orders have already been over 500,000 units so I just cant see how anyone else can compete with that.”

Cowell also rejected criticism that the X Factor winning songs have dominated the festive chart over the past five years.

“I don't want to sound too arrogant about it as we've already been accused of ruining the Christmas number one," he said. "We're not ruining it, we're just giving the finalists a chance to have a shot at it."

Referring to Peter Kay releasing a song as alter ego Geraldine McQueen, he said: “Obviously we'd love for the Geraldine single to do well.”

The winner's version of 'Hallelujah' will be available from midnight on Saturday.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/xfactor/...teed-no-1.html

[LemonJam]

I really want to hear JLS's version.

[Locke.]

Originally posted by LemonJam
I really want to hear JLS's version.

I know, only the winner performs it this year too... so they just have to win.

[rayheartbliss]

i can imagine JLS winning if this is the winner song!
i dont kno how this song will suit alex
and eoghan well..........

[Tom4784]

Hallejulah? A pop song? Don't make me retch!

[rayheartbliss]

Originally posted by Dezzy
Hallejulah? A pop song? Don't make me retch!

lol

yerh it aint even a pop song!

unless the've put twist on it for the winner song.

[XxShortyxX]

I think Alex will be brilliant at singing this song. I hope she wins.

[robb]

Egghead will 'smash it,smash it' with Hallelujah!

XF 'Guaranteed Number One'? WELL WE WOULD NEVER HAVE GUESSED, WOULD WE....