Joe McElderry

Why yes, yes they have! Rage Against The Machine have beaten Joe McElderry's The Climb to the #1 spot this Christmas. It's just been confirmed via the Radio 1 chart countdown, but we heard on Twitter earlier that Killing In The Name has officially outsold the X Factor winner's single!

In the most tense chart battle in years, Scott Mills played a number of comments from fans of both artists. Lisa's done a good post about X Factor's previously unbroken string of Christmas Number One's.

I'm a tiny bit gutted for Joe, because I genuinely liked him -  a gracious, humble guy with a good voice. Unfortunately, X Factor this year for me was a complete washout. And I think a lot of people are buying Rage Against The Machine as a way of registering their displeasure at the show. And yes, probably at Simon Cowell too.

Comedienne Vikki Stone has released a YouTube video which mercilessly sends up this year's X Factor winner's single. She's completely rewritten the lyrics to suggest Joe McElderry will be having nightmares about somebody called Leon for the foreseeable future...and that his records might soon be found in bargain bins all over the country...

And she does a really good approximation of Joe's singing voice too! The chorus was begging to be rewritten as It's A Crime, wasn't it?

Joe McElderry looked petrified when George Michael first emerged onto the X Factor stage tonight and as he sang his solo verse, Joe looked a bit like a spare part.

However when they sang together, the rapport between them increased and the drugs obviously aren't affecting George's vocals too badly. He matched Joe note for note.

I loved it, did you?

Here comes lil’ Joe McElderry and his winning smile. Lucky bugger, he’s managed to get Cheryl Cole in the backseat of a limo. Now there’s a dream come true! But they’re just heading to Joe’s hometown for a wee visit, they hit his school and then visit the family. Speeches get made, tears get shed, but thankfully no bulbs get shot out by champagne corks.

His first song is Dance With My Father, a gorgeous tune that’ll endear him to legion of listeners. The vocals are virtually flawless, and there’s a bit of a surprise at the end with the inclusion of a gospel choir.

The stylist couldn't have picked worse clothes for Joe tonight. He looked like he was on his way to a bit of work experience.

Louis: Joe, I remember that first audition so well, because you came out and sang Luther Vandross and it absolutely got me. You’ve got better and better and you’ve got an incredible voice.

Joe McElderry chose the little known Journey track 'Open Arms' as his second X Factor song tonight. It was an inspired choice and he belted out the track so convincingly that half of Britain were in tears by the end of his performance.

Once again his vocals were astounding and he even managed to stay focused as they stood him on top of a platform and dropped sparkly things around his head.

Joe has been tipped to win the show by just about every bookie in the country and after his second performance tonight, I think his odds just shot through the roof.

Were you loving Joe tonight? Leave your comments below.

Louis: You were absolutely born to do this, and you’re a natural pop star. I think if you recorded that song, you’d have a hit record tomorrow.

Dannii: Everyone loves you, all around the country. With those two songs, you gotta be in the final.

Joe McElderry was second on the X Factor stage tonight and after I got past the distracting bum fluff above his lip, I thoroughly enjoyed the performance.

Joe is by far the strongest vocalist left in the competition and the tone of his voice tonight was uber smooth. Joe brought the emotion to the song as well as the voice and I don't know how he manages to overcome his nerves so well week after week.

What did you think of young Joe tonight? Leave your comments below.

Louis: As Simon said, you’ve an amazing tone to your voice. You have the talent, you obviously need the votes.

Dannii: You have just clocked up another superb performance. I could hear you all over the radio – you have to be in the final.

X Factor's Joe McElderry came  back with Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word as his second song tonight.This was a straightforward vocal performance, no chorus line of girls in stupid costumes, no huge backing track. I really like Joe – he puts so much into his performances, and he seems like a genuinely nice guy. Surely he has to win?

Louis: You absolutely won round 2 for me. You’ve got it all, you were born to do this. People have to pick up the phones and vote for you.

Dannii: There hasn’t been a song sung in this year’s competition with more passion than that one. The feeling that you have is just exceptional – I have to see you in the final – please vote for Joe.

X Factor's Joe McElderry is possibly the cutest thing I have ever seen and that smile makes me melt every time. However as Dannii Minogue would tell us, this is a singing competition, luckily Joe is good at that too!

Tonight Joe tackled the Take That classic Could It Be Magic and not only did he hit every note perfectly but he looked completely at ease on stage with that troupe of dancers and huge routine.

Joe hasn't been in the bottom two X Factor acts yet and if he keeps this up, he will certainly make it to the final!

Louis: Joe it was magic. Every week, you get better and better, you’re becoming a real popstart. Seriously, you deserve to be in the final three.

Dannii: Joe, you were absolutely flying high. You took the opportunity, it was a hard song. I know you were nervous about the notes, but you smashed it.

Cheryl’s last act of the night – Joe McElderry started tonight's performance well. He kicked off with a gospel choir, and his approach was more George Michael than Freddie Mercury, a good choice for his vocal style. He had good clarity in his voice, though he needed to project a little more. Joe gave a thoroughly solid performance tonight – he looked like he’s enjoying it and he handled the final high note brilliantly. Yes, I think we love Joe again

Judges comments:

Dannii Minogue: That was fantastic – that’s one of the biggest Queen songs. You bring it on every week. Brilliant.