Dannii's boy Matt Cardle is crowned winner of the X Factor

 Matt Cardle has been crowned the X Factor 2010 champion last night in a closely fought contest which saw Rebecca Ferguson come in second place followed by One Direction


 Posing here alongside Dannii and X Factor supremo Simon Cowell

The painter-decorator was overwhelmed after receiving the news, seen right with mentor Dannii Minogue holding his single, a cover of Scottish band Biffy Clyro’s Many Of Horror (When We Collide) 

 Rebecca said she was delighted for Matt and was just 'so grateful' to have come as far as she did in the contest

Moment of truth: A nervous Matt and Rebecca are supported by their mentors as they await the result

 The X Factor judges arrive on to the stage at the start of the final

 Matt looked taken aback, breaking down and losing his voice during parts of his second rendition of the track as he took in the enormity of his win

Dannii opted for a plunging, glittering off-white dress

 Cheryl looked stunning in a red fishtail gown


 Rebecca performed a cover of Duffy's Distant Dreamer, which would have been the track she released if she had won the contest

To open the show the three finalists performed with Take That as they sang Never Forget ensemble

He was the cheeky painter and decorator from Essex who won the nation’s hearts with his scruffy charm and sensational voice.
But Matt Cardle is unlikely to pick up a paintbrush again after beating Rebecca Ferguson to win The X Factor in a victory that will make him a multi-millionaire.
More than 20million tuned in to ITV last night to see boy-next-door Cardle secure the £1million recording deal.