[James]

Joe has lost out in the race to the Christmas Number One after being beaten by Rage Against the Machine's Killing In The Name.

Killing In The Name, sold 500,000 downloads more than 50,000 copies more than Joe McElderry's The Climb.

The anti-X Factor campaign on Facebook attracted more than 980,000 followers.

Joe said: "Fair play to the guys who have organised the Facebook campaign - it's been exciting to be part of a much-hyped battle and they definitely deserve congratulations."

"This time last year I never thought for one minute that I'd win The X Factor, never mind about having a debut single out, so I'm just delighted to be in the charts.”

Simon Cowell congratulated Jon and Tracy Morter, who started the Facebook campaign. He said: "I am gutted for Joe because a number one single meant a lot to him but I have to congratulate Jon and Tracy, who started the Facebook campaign.

"I called Jon on Saturday to congratulate the two of them that, win or lose, they turned this into a very exciting race for the Christmas number one.

"I am proud of Joe - he worked really hard this week, but he has a great year ahead of him."

It is the first time since 2004 that an X Factor winner hasn't topped the Christmas singles chart - the past four Christmas number ones have all been by X Factor winners but Joe could still get the number one spot next week.

X Factor 2009 forum - http://www.thisisbigbrother.com/foru...play.php?f=176

[_Seth]

It's Christmas #1 so why wouldn't it be announced and ended on Christmas day? I don't understand, why now?

[Marc]

the sunday before Xmas.. its always been like that.