Alexandra takes UK Xmas No. 1

' X Factor' winner Alexandra Burke has taken the coveted UK number one Christmas spot with her debut single 'Hallelujah'.

Her cover of Leonard Cohen's classic hit shifted 576,000 copies, to become the fastest selling single by a female solo artist.

he track beat Jeff Buckley's version of the same song into second place and knocked 2006 'X Factor' winner Leona Lewis off the top spot and into number three with her cover of Snow Patrol's 'Run'.

Beyonce's 'If I Were A Boy' and Peter Kay alter-ego Geraldine McQueen's 'Once Upon A Christmas Song' rounded out the top five.

Cohen's original version of 'Hallelujah', written 20 years ago, also made it into the top 40 with a new entry at number 36.