The 18-year-old, who has also been hailed as a new Cliff Richard, was crowned the X Factor winner on Sunday night with 61 per cent of the vote. In what was billed as the closest final in the history of the television talent show, McElderry beat call centre worker Olly Murs to the biggest prize in the music business.

In front of an estimated television audience of 20 million, the performing arts student from South Shields, Tyne and Wear, landed a £1 million recording deal and an all-but-guaranteed number one in the Christmas chart. And Cowell is already planning to fly the teenager to the States in the New Year to tie up a lucrative deal, which will reportedly make the singer £5 million.

Three major US TV networks and several Hollywood studios have reportedly already contacted Cowell about working with McElderry. They think he could be in a perfect position to take over from former teenage idol Efron, 22, who has made millions from the High School Musical films. [Source]