[Red Moon]

X Factor's King Leon vows: I'll buy my mum a new palace

Six months ago he was stacking shelves in a Gap store.

Yesterday Leon Jackson was celebrating a £1million recording contract after his surprise victory in the X Factor.

The 18-year-old Scot told the Daily Mail that he hoped to spend the money on a house for his mother, Wendy.

"I would love to treat her to a new house or car," he said. "It would be the ultimate thing for me, a way of giving something back."

Leon was the 6-1 outsider before Saturday night's live final against the favourite, Welsh operatic singer Rhydian Roberts, and the brother-and-sister act Same Difference, from Hampshire.

His winning performances included a duet with guest star Kylie Minogue, Better The Devil You Know.

Bookmakers described his victory as the "biggest shock in reality show history " .

Nick Weinberg, of Ladbrokes, said: "Leon won the Battle of Britain thanks to his Scottish fans. The support he received came almost exclusively from north of the border."

The teenager is now expected to secure the Christmas number 1 with his cover of Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston's hit, When You Believe, which was released on-line immediately after the final.

"This means the world to me," said Leon, who lives with his 40-year-old mother in Whitburn, West Lothian. "I've just been plodding along every week doing my best to keep up with everybody." He denied that his victory was solely down to patriotic voting by the Scots, insisting that he had attracted votes from throughout the UK.

He added: "My mum's bursting with pride. She cannot believe it. I haven't really given the money a thought - it's always been about the music for me. But I just want to be sensible with it and look after my mum."

Saturday night's show reached a peak audience of 12.7 million - its highest rating ever.

Yesterday its message board and Rhydian fansites were flooded with complaints from fans claiming they could not get through to vote.

One said: "The result was a complete travesty. As soon as Rhydian finished singing in the final showdown I tried to vote for him on at least 12 occasions within the allowed voting time (approx three minutes) only to hear a recorded message each time that the network was busy - try again later.

"How many thousands of others people had a similar experience I wonder? Leon fans had a much longer time span to vote for him. What a con!"

Similarly, an online poll conducted by xfactorblogspot yesterday gave Rhydian 78 per cent with Leon just 8 per cent.

A programme spokesman claimed there had been no problems with the show's voting system, but added that some viewers "might have had problems with their chosen phone providers".

Despite their disappointment, the losing finalists are all tipped to make a million over the coming year.

Rhydian is expected to release a single of his own and is said to have been approached by Andrew Lloyd Webber to star in a West End musical. Same Difference have reportedly been approached by Disney to produce an album of children's classics.

Source and Pictures: Daily Mail

[XxShortyxX]

Awww that's nice of him, well he will have the money to now.

[GiRTh]

I wouldn't do that if I were him. I hope they keep his job open at the Gap. I have a feeling he may be back there soon.

[BigSister]

aww he just wants to give his mum something back i say good on him ^_^

[Jackie]

Lets just hope he makes enough money to buy a palace.

[Emilee]

Aww i love Leon he's soo sweet bless him!

[andybigbro]

Aww thats nice of him =]