Sam Bailey sang her winner’s song, a cover of Demi Lovato’s ‘Skyscraper’ and reduced judges Sharon Osbourne and Nicole Scherzinger to tears with her emotional performance.
Over a million viewers voted for Sam to be crowned the winner of The X Factor, and judges were quick to share their congratulations with the talented vocalist.
Gary Barlow looked tearful when he said: 'You've stolen the hearts of the nation… You've done this on behalf of people whose dreams have stayed dreams.'
Nicole was also emotional when she congratulated the X Factor winner: 'You got me looking like a hot mess, the first time I saw you, you brought tears to my eyes, and you've done it again with your last performance… That voice is a gift from God and you are the voice.’
The glamorous judge continued: 'Timing is everything and this is your time right now.'
Louis Walsh told Sam that she deserved to take her place as X Factor winner and told her to reign in her emotions. He said: ’You deserve to be on that stage, that's going to be number one record - stop crying.'
Sam thanked the viewers that have voted for her throughout the competition as well as her mentor, Sharon Osbourne: 'There's one person that's been so inspirational and that's Sharon Osbourne and I love her to pieces.'
The victorious winner then shared with the audience how the competition had changed her for the better: 'In the time that I've bee in this competition I've grown not only as a person but in my music.’
Nicholas McDonald graciously took 2nd place and performed his would-be winner’s song ‘Superman’ by Five For Fighting.
Mentor Louis Walsh praised the 17-year-old, saying: ‘you came into this a boy and you've grown into a man.’
Gary gave an emotional farewell as he said goodbye to his place on the judging panel after announcing his exit from the show.
He said: ‘I'll be watching at home from next year, feeling a little left out if I'm honest… I love the show and I love being on this panel.’
The show was a star-studded affair, with performances from One Direction and Katy Perry. One Direction revealed that after their year of touring and recording the boys get to spend Christmas with their families.
Sam’s winning single ‘Skyscraper’ is available now and a percentage of proceeds will go towards Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital.