I don't agree with the public Alexandra burke is definately not the best singer on this year x factor show 2008.There were better singers.

john, london, England

i'm hoping for a merry RICKmas this year, put the fun back into christmas. I'm rooting for Rick Astley all the way.

So the money from his record may still be going to the fat cats, but at this time of year it's about the song, and the public, and not just buying what's shoved in our faces. GO RICK!

Jon Williams, Northampton, Northamptonshire

I have nothing against shows like this but i think they should be at a different time of year, the Xmas no.1 is a tradition and X-factor ruins it, so i won't be buying the single. i'm rooting for rick astley's never gonna give you up

Hito, Boston, UK

Bono, Divo and Kathy Jenkins have all murdered this song, but Alexandra's version was excellent. Cohen's live version is the best, but Alexandra's was still exceptional.

Graham, Kansas, USA

Alex you deserve every good thing that comes ur way.Your determination,and the courage u have shown throughout along with ur love for what u do make u an inspiration for all.Here's wishing u a long successful career.God bless u child

venessa, london, england

I think Alex is a star born and just what we need in the UK.
She is a decent girl with a very good upbringing and her parents should be very very proud of her.Someone who can sing like her,deserves everything she hopes and dreams for.A pleasure to watch and good luck for a brill future girlie !!!!

Annette Frensham, GRAYS, uk

Why another depressing song for Xmas #1? It might sound pretty, but reading the lyrics, Hallelujah seems to be about a slightly obsessive and dysfunctional relationship... everyone's going on about it like it's some sort of hymn...

Rachel, Manchester, UK

It is so incongruous - a bitter, bitter break-up song released for xmas number one. Doesn't bother Cowell of course, he's confident that having already been covered by half a dozen decent artists, it's ready for a cheesy x-factor treatment. I'd love it if Rick Astley beat them!

Jonathan Firth, Glasgow, Scotland

At the end of the day, Alexandra is quite ordinary, there are lots of others singers out there like her. It is also rather irritiating that every year the xmas number 1 is dominated by some dire cover of a classic song by an x factor contestant..

A, UK,

Her version of Hallelujah is absolutely shocking. I think it is disgusting that Simon Cowell/The X Factor are ruining an amazing song. I notice the Times has made no reference to the protest groups set up on the internet which are attempting to make Jeff Buckley's cover Xmas No 1.

Nicola, Nottingham,

I beg all pople in the Uk not to buy the inevitable destruction of one of the finest songs ever written. Cowell and his ilk should not be encouraged to peddle this sort of exploitative rubbish. Listen to the original...

Alex Scott, York,

I for one am fed up with the recent undeserved domination of the xmas number one spot by x-factor contestants who aren't even especially good so I will also be buying Never gonna give you up by rick astley and the jeff Buckley version to actually get a proper xmas number one instead of this farce

James, Wakefield, Yorkshire

alexandra is the best that i have seen on x factor along with the other finalists which are jls and eoghan.
ALEXANDRA IS THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

JESSICA CROSS, BLACKFEN, ENGLAND

Aexandra has a much better voice than leona lewis and i'm so glad she won. She is a true star. She deserved it, she has the most beautiful voice and i'm so glad owen didn't win, I thought he would.

The British public truly got the right result and especially with JLS coming in as runner up.

kim, london,

The Girl deserved to win, fantastic voice, lovely person, hope she goes on to be one of our biggest exporters.
Ian, Cleveland

Ian Taylor, Stockton, England

She wasn't my favourite to win - but even so I ended up with tears running down my face when she sang Hallelujah. That surely must be a mark of something special. Congrats Alex!

Ellie, Derbyshire,

She's great at belting out a tune, but unfortunately cannot do anything softly, which is exactly what a tune like 'Hallelujah' needs, not loud screaming.Good singer, but it is the wrong song for her.

Margot, Fife,

Once again the X Factor is going to be ruining christmas by giving us yet another manufactured artist.

Bring back the days when people enjoyed christmas classics not just fill Simon Cowells wallet.

This year im protesting in my own way by downloading Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up"

Dave, South SHields,

With the media hyping xfactor to the levels they do,its hardly
surprising its favorite ,when all the other records vying for attention, gets to share the remaining 10-15% between them
Its a shame there isnt more impartiality in the journalistic reporting. I'll be joining the huge Rick Astley cause

M Green, Berkshire, England

Support British talent - Alexandra is simply amazing - after rejection she came back and won - left here it for the underdog - the best singer won the sing competition. Graceful, beautiful Alex , well done

Claire, London, UK

Peter Kay for the Christmas No. 1. spot.
My son's comment on Simon Cowell -THE GRINGE THAT STOLE CHRISTMAS'.
Don't buy this awful version of Leonard Cohen's 'Halleluljah' - buy K.T.Langs's.

Prudence Eely Bond McGuire BA, LONDON, ENGLAND UK

The voice of an Angel, who brought me to tears with shivers and goosebumps. Starting with Silent Night, my favourite Carol, I was in tears, the duet with Beyonce was absolutely amazing, she truly deserved to win, a Superstar in the making. Congratulations Alex.

cass, canterbury, Kent

Alexandra has done the people of London so proud. Her performances were always outstanding, she derserved to win the X-factor no doubt. I love the fact that although she was knocked back three years ago she still came back that shows that she is a women of great strengh and i admire strong women.

Denise O'Jay, London, England

Alexandra has done the people of London so proud. Her performances were always outstanding, she derserved to win the X-factor no doubt. I love the fact that although she was knocked back three years ago she still came back that shows that she is a women of great strengh and i admire strong women.

Denise O'Jay, London, England

Another moment I thought was so telling, was when she sang after winning, and seemed to look up as she sang the main refrain. After this and the tie on Strictly, I shall have to turn my tv off as its all too emotional! Well done to all.

lin, Bracknell,

I happened to listen to Jeff Buckley's singing 'Halleluljah' on Friday and was almost moved to tears as I often am when I listen to his version

I have just listened to the Alexandra Burke version and this time I was most definitely moved to tears. Her interpretation is criminal.

James, Portishead,

The best X Factor ever. JLS and their version of George Michael "Last Xmas" was excellent but Alexandra had the edge throughout especially her duet with Beyonce, They were totally compatible in voice . Alexandra deserved to win outright ,Though I believe that Ruth Lorenzo should have been there to

Carlos Martinez, Manilva, Spain