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Alexandra Burke has won X Factor 2008! She managed to bag the number one spot despite a huge surge in popularity for boyband JLS, who were runners-up.

Eoghan Quigg, who has been hitting the headlines in recent weeks for his close relationship with former contestant Diana Vickers, came third in the final, voted off first due to having the lowest vote. 

Alexandra was overcome by tears and could hardly speak after hearing her name called as winner – three years after she was kicked out of the show by judge Louis Walsh having made it into the final 21.

Walsh said: “I did her a favour, the biggest favour of her life,” adding that there was “no way” she would have won the show in 2005.

The 20-year-old from north London took to the X Factor stage one more time to perform her version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah, which is odds on to make this year’s Christmas Number One single.

After an emotional performance, Alex told the audience: “Thank you for making my dreams come true everyone. I have everything to thank you for. In my bones, thank you.”

Judge Simon Cowell also was amazed by Alex’s performances and said: “I’m rarely speechless but I am now. Alex, God bless you. You deserved it. I know this show isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but for everyone who’s watched it, written about it and voted, thank you very much indeed.”

During the show, Alexandra brought the house down when she introduced superstar Beyonce for a duet with her. Westlife performed alongside JLS and Boyzone with Eoghan Quigg. 

Speaking after the programme, Alexandra said: “I went for this show three years ago and I got told to go home because I wasn’t ready. I took three years to get myself ready, I came back and look what’s happened.”

Alexandra, who had been the favourite with bookies to win throughout the final stages of the show, was told she would perform with Elton John at the O2 Arena on New Year’s Eve.