Joe McElderry set to be most successful male X-Factor winner

Ahead of its release on Monday, Joe McElderry's album 'Wide Awake' has generated 49% more pre-orders than the next highest debut album from a male X Factor winner, Shayne Ward's self-titled 2006 album. Joe is also way ahead of the other X Factor kings, with 232% more pre-orders than Leon Jackson' 'Right Now' in 2008 and 407% more than Steve Brookstein's 'Heart and Soul' in 2005.

'The worry for any male X Factor winner is that they have only a limited shelf life like we have seen with Steve Brookstein and Leon Jackson,' said Julian Monaghan, head of music buying at Amazon.co.uk Ltd. 'Joe McElderry has drummed up significantly more demand than previous male winners and could be the first in a new era of male X Factor successes. With last year's runner-up Olly Murs already having a number one under his belt and Matt Cardle installed as firm favourite this year, it could be that we are going see much greater success from the male soloists than we have seen in years gone by.'

Despite Joe leading the way amongst the boys, it is the girls who enjoy the most X Factor success. Leona Lewis's debut album 'Spirit' in 2007 remains the most successful X Factor debut album of all time on Amazon.co.uk with more than three times as many pre-orders as Joe McElderry. He is also in the shadow of last year's winner Alexandra Burke who secured 41% more pre-orders than Joe ahead of release.

Joe McElderry's album 'Wide Awake' is available for pre-order from Amazon.co.uk currently priced at £8.93 and will be available to download at the Amazon MP3 store from Monday 25 October 2010.