Alexandra Burke has been crowned the 2008 X Factor champion.

The 20-year-old North London lass beat off competition from fellow finalists JLS and Eoghan Quigg in one of the most too-close-to-call finals to date.

Alexandra - who was mentored by X Factor newbie Cheryl Cole - pulled in the most public votes after more than holding her own in an emotional duet with her pop heroine Beyonce.

Alexandra said, "It's been an amazing night. I'm really overwhelmed by everything but so happy."

Boyband JLS were runners up and 16-year-old Eoghan came third.

Alexandra's version of the Leonard Cohen classic Hallelujah is available to download from midnight tonight and is the bookies' favourite to clinch the coveted Christmas number one spot.

See Alex's winning performances below