X Factor final 2014: Ben Haenow in shock victory
Croydon singer beat bookies' favourite Fleur East with Michael Jackson's Man in the Mirror
Ben Haenow has won this year's X Factor final, beating hot favourite Fleur East at Wembley Stadium.
"I don’t believe it. I don't believe it," the 29-year old van driver from Croydon said following the public vote. "Thank you so much. My dream has come true."
Simon Cowell, who mentored both contestants, told Haenow: "This is what turning into a star feels like. You deserved it, you're a great guy. This is your moment."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cowell said he wished the pair could share the prize. "This is the best and closest final I have ever judged," the music mogul said.
Runner up East, who had been the bookies favourite to win, congratulated her rival, saying: "I love Ben so much, I'm so happy for him."
Fans were devastated when Italian Andre Faustini was voted off on Saturday night, leaving Heanow and East to go head to head on Sunday.
Last night, Haenow performed the winner's single One Republic's Something I Need to a 10,000 strong audience. "The track will now be a strong contender for Christmas No 1," The Guardian reports.
During the final show of the 11th series, former X Factor contestant Olly Murs performed a duet with pop sensation Demi Lovato, Grammy nominee Sam Smith sang his smash single Stay with Me and Rolling Stone's Ronnie Wood joined One Direction on stage.
However, social media users were shocked when sister act Blonde Electra, who had been sent off earlier in the show, shared a kiss on stage during their performance in the final. "Well that sibling kiss was weird... I wonder if there will be any more desperate publicity stunts this eve," tweeted Made in Chelsea star Fran Newman-Young.
The ITV singing contest experienced its worst ratings in a decade, with viewers falling by six million over the past four years. However, it "continues to be a dominant force in primetime television", according to the BBC, with the final show still commanding the most expensive advertising space in UK television.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
What message is Trump sending with his Cabinet picks?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION By nominating high-profile loyalists like Matt Gaetz and RFK Jr., is Trump serious about creating a functioning Cabinet, or does he have a different plan in mind?
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Wyoming judge strikes down abortion, pill bans
Speed Read The judge said the laws — one of which was a first-in-the-nation prohibition on the use of medication to end pregnancy — violated the state's constitution
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
US sanctions Israeli West Bank settler group
Speed Read The Biden administration has imposed sanctions on Amana, Israel's largest settlement development organization
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
The X Factor: farewell to Simon Cowell’s talent circus
Speed Read The talent show hadn’t actually been on air since 2018, but its death knell was officially sounded last week
By The Week Staff Published
-
Portrait of the artist: Ronnie Wood and Bremont
In Depth The Rolling Stone talks about his pursuit of painting and his project creating bespoke clock dials for the watchmaker
By The Week Staff Published
-
The X Factor: where are the previous winners now?
In Depth Flagship ITV music show returns to UK screens with a few twists in store
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
I Can't Sing – reviews of Harry Hill's musical X Factor spoof
The Week Recommends 'Wildly eccentric' X Factor spoof delights some critics, but doesn't go far enough for others
By The Week Staff Published
-
X-Factor: can Cheryl Cole save Simon Cowell's talent show?
In Depth Simon Cowell is hoping on-screen chemistry with singer will 'knock Strictly Come Dancing off the top'
By The Week Staff Published
-
Comic Relief bishop tops Lady Gaga on Ofcom complaint list
Speed Read Rowan Atkinson sketch in which One Direction are compared to Jesus's disciples draws 487 complaints
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why JLS should be thanked for pulling the plug
In Depth Fans are 'devastated' by boy band's decision to quit, but the nation owes them a debt of gratitude
By Richard Jinman Published