Joe McElderry wins the X Factor

JOE MCELDERRY was tonight crowned the king of the X Factor.

The 18-year-old from South Shields, Tyne-and-Wear, beat off stiff competition from second-place Olly Murs, to win the ITV show.

In front of a tense viewing audience of more than 10 million, Joe looked aghast when host Dermot O'Leary announced him as the winner.

He said: "I can't even speak. Thank you so much everyone."

Judge and Joe's mentor Cheryl Cole, who has now won for a second year running after Alexandra Burke came first last year, said she was "over the moon".

Cole, who comes from the same area in the UK as McElderry. added: "I'm absolutely delighted. The right person won. I'm so proud of you. The North East are going to be going mad."

Runner up Olly Murs, 25, who was actually tipped by the judges at the start of the competition to win, was gracious in defeat, calling Joe "phenomenal".

Judge and Olly's mentor, Simon Cowell, told McElderry he was "gutted for Olly" but "thrilled for you because you're brilliant".

McElderry had been the bookmakers' favourite to win the series.