Joe McElderry claims UK No.1

X Factor winner Joe McElderry celebrates knocking Rage Against The Machine off the top of the singles chart

They do say good things come to those who wait - and X Factor winner Joe McElderry has plenty to celebrate as we head into a new year.

The 18 year-old South Shields lad lost out to Rage Against The Machine in the battle for Christmas No. 1 - but now that the protest vote has died away, Joe's single The Climb has claimed its place at the top of the chart.

In fact, the winner's single has now sold two and half times more than its rival, Killing In The Name.

Joe's Miley Cyrus cover has sold 195,729 copies compared to 68,736 copies of the RATM track, ensuring that The Climb will be the first UK No.1 single of the new decade.

Joe is delighted with his late Christmas present, declaring: 'I am so happy that the single is No. 1. Thank you so much to everyone that has supported me.'

'This has been the best Christmas ever and I want to wish everyone a happy new year.'

After a family Christmas in Northumberland, the X Factor winner is now jetting off for a ski trip to remember - before the hard work of being a popstar begins in earnest next year.

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