SHOCK! SEE VIDEO Leon Jackson wins The X Factor

Scottish teenager gets the viewers' votes

Saturday, 15 December 2007

Leon Jackson has been crowned surprise winner of The X Factor, landing a £1m recording contract.

The 18-year-old Scot became the youngest ever winner of the TV talent show, beating bookies’ favourite Rhydian Roberts.

More than 12m people tuned in to see Leon – who was mentored by Dannii Minogue – take the prize.

During the live final, he was joined on stage by Dannii’s sister Kylie, to perform a dazzling rendition of the pop legend’s hit Better The Devil You Know.

He will now release a version of the Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston hit, When You Believe, which is hotly tipped to be Christmas No 1.

‘It’s not real,’ the stunned West Lothian lad told host Dermot O’Leary.

‘Thank you for everybody who voted.

'I decided to pursue this because I loved singing, then, as it went along, I knew I could potentially change my mum's life and I've just done it.'

Leon will be signed to Simon Cowell’s record label Syco, part of SonyBMG.

Last year’s winner, Leona Lewis, reached the top of the charts with her debut single and album.

See Leon Jackson announced winner of The X Factor...

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