<p><br /> Bookies' favourite Matt Cardle has been crowned the winner of this year's X Factor.<br /> </p><p><br /> The 27-year-old former painter and decorator declared "I'm so proud" after his name was called out by host Dermot O'Leary.<br /> </p><p><br /> Cardle, from Colchester, Essex, beat fellow finalist Liverpudlian Rebecca Ferguson to take the 2010 title of the ITV1 talent show.<br /> </p><p><br /> Earlier in the show, five-piece boy band One Direction were named as the third place runners up.<br /> </p><p><br /> Cardle appeared overwhelmed by his win, walking straight across to hug runner up Ferguson and thanking "everyone" including his ecstatic mentor Dannii Minogue.<br /> </p><p><br /> Ferguson was graceful in defeat, saying: "I'm so grateful, Matt is amazing, I'm happy I got this far."<br /> </p><p><br /> Cardle, overwhelmed by emotion, then took to the stage to perform his winner's single. After completing the track, he joked: "I hope next time I sing it, I sing it a little bit better than that."<br /> </p><p><br /> Simon Cowell added: "I've got to hand it to you Matt, you are one heck of a nice guy, you sang your way to win this show."<br /> </p>
