She'd been tipped to win since day one and as the statistics (which we'll talk about in just a minute) showed there was never any doubt but that Sam Bailey was going to be crowned X Factor winner last night.
The singer went head to head with Louis Walsh's Scottish wonder kid Nicholas McDonald in a pretty forgettable final (save for the former Prison Officer's stellar vocals - you can't deny that she can sing) at London's Wembley Arena last night. Seriously X Factor, if you're just going to be plagued with sound issues take the finals back to the studio please.
Sharon Osbourne povided quite the bit of entertainment, breaking down in tears when her contestant took the prize before dropping f-bombs and v-bombs on the Xtra Factor, much to the amusement of somewhat astonished hosts Caroline Flack and Matt Richardson.
"I don't know what to say. I just want to say that I love that boy [Nicholas] to pieces and he needs to get an album out as well. He's got an amazing voice and I love him to death" a rather emotional Bailey told Dermot O'Leary. "I can't believe this. I'm so grateful to everybody. I really am appreciative, thank you," she added.
"If I was going to get beaten by anybody it was going to be Sam", young Nicholas added. "Sam is a hard one to beat, but I just want to say thank you to every single person who has voted for me week in and week out."
And then came the line we've heard too many times to mention: "This is not the end of me. I know I'll have an album out and I'll see you all on the tour. I love you all."
Now for some statistics *puts on stat hat*. In fairness, it ain't that complicated. Sam and Nicholas were the only acts to EVER top the leaderboard throughout the live shows, with the Scottish lad dominating in weeks 1, 2 and 6, and Sam taking the top spot every other weekend.
Sure does get boring when you know who'll win from the off, eh?
