Cowell claims to be saviour of Christmas charts

Simon Cowell claims to have saved the Christmas charts.

The 'X Factor' judge and music mogul said that people often mistakenly think that the Christmas number one is a great song and his reality TV contest - the winner of which has topped the festive chart for the previous four years - has called a halt to novelty acts landing the coveted top slot.

He told NME magazine: "I think we all have this belief that the Christmas number one was just amazing songs, but actually when you look at them over recent years it was Bob The Builder, Mr Blobby, there's a tradition of quite horrible songs. I think I've done everyone a favour."

Discussing his decision to have last year's 'X Factor' winner Alexandra Burke cover Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah', he said: "Trust me, Leonard Cohen was not complaining when he got that royalty cheque."

Meanwhile, this year's winner Joe McElderry is facing the possibility that he will be pipped to the Christmas Number One post because of an internet campaign to get Rage Against the Machine's 'Killing In The Name' to the top slot.

Rupert Adams from bookmakers William Hill said: "This is the first time we have seen a challenge to 'The X Factor' dominance."

However, it is expected that Joe's cover of Miley Cyrus' 'The Climb' will easily see off the competition when it is released in physical format today.