Bookies Back X Factor Champ for Xmas No. 1

Still smarting from last year's slap-in-the-face Christmas rebellion, Simon Cowell and 2009 X-Factor winner Joe McElderry would be the first to warn this year's star, Matt Cardle, that not even the X-Factor guarantees you the Christmas Number One spot. But it seems that Matt need not fear a Rage Against the Machine-style coup - so far he's well on target to be first choice come Christmas Day.

Bookmakers Backing an X-Factor Christmas

Ladbrokes clearly thinks that Matt is unstoppable and has even begun paying out to punters who've put their money on him. A spokesman for the bookies said: 'It's done and dusted as far as we're concerned. Matt might as well order extra champagne as he'll be celebrating again in next to no time. His fans can have their money back early to buy his new single.'

William Hill: Matt's Rivals Trailing

Likewise, William Hill is predicating Xmas success for Matt at 1/16 - with his closest rivals 'The Trashmen' and 'Biffy Clyro' behind on 7/1 and 16/1 respectively. But that's not all that Will Hill is speculating on. X-Factor fans can place online bets on how many No. 1 hits Matt will collect in 2011, and which of the three X-Factor finalists will top the charts most often in the coming year.

X-Factor Betting Frenzy

X-Factor betting this year has been lucrative for punters and bookies alike. Will Hill paid out more than 7 figures on successful wagers and turned over more than £2 million. 23 bets of £1,000 + were placed on the last day of the competition. Will Hill representative Rupert Adams had this to say about the final night: 'The X Factor goes from strength to strength and at one point on Sunday night we were taking over 130 bets a minute. The X Factor is quite simply the Daddy of reality TV betting.'

Without doubt, William Hill's efficient online service is what enables the company to cope with wagering and paying out at such a furious rate.