Singer Alexandra Burke has won this year’s The X Factor, beating four-piece group JLS into second place.

Though the 20-year-old north Londoner made an unsuccessful bid to be in the contest three years ago, tonight she was widely praised for her talent.

 

 

Accompanied by international sensation, Beyonce Knowles, the singer performed  Leonard Cohen‘s Hallelujah. The track is widely expected to become the Christmas number one.

 

 

 

Watch Alexandra’s final-round-performance

 

 

The young singer was presented with a copy of her debut single, and dedicated it “to everyone who voted for me.”

 

 

 

She worked hard for it

After scooping the crown in a much-publicized celebration, grueling X-factor judge, Simon Cowell acknowledged the singer’s talent and efforts saying: “You deserve it.”

 

 

 

The song is now available for download. A physical release is set to hit the shelves early next week.

Burke was mentored by Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole, completing her first season as a judge on the show.

 

 

According to X Factor presenter Dermot O’Leary, around eight-million votes had been cast during the final.