Van driver Ben Haenow is on the road to music stardom tonight after he was named winner of The X Factor.

The X Factor final drew its lowest UK audience for a decade last night - trailing its BBC1 rival Strictly Come Dancing by more than a million viewers.

Tattooed, shirtless, and rocking hard, Scottish rock band Biffy Clyro won thousands of new fans in the Marquee last night, myself included.

GIG WISE: The countdown has begun for Live at the Marquee in Cork, with young whippersnapper Cliff Richard kicking it all off on Monday, June 9, followed by the equally youthful Dolly Parton (June 12).

Simon Cowell has lowered the 'X Factor' audition age to 14.

Cheryl Cole is returning to The X Factor after four years to revive her on-screen partnership with show boss Simon Cowell.

Our guide on what to look out for on the box.

Mel C has confessed she gets "lonely" since her 10-year relationship ended.

Your guide on what to look out for on the box this evening.

Former Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger is reported to be heading out of 'The X Factor' as show supremo Simon Cowell makes his comeback.

Former 'X Factor' winner Matt Cardle has said he could have died if he had not spent the last month in rehab.

Matt Cardle has reportedly checked himself into rehab.

Rebecca Ferguson thinks female artists need to be ruthless when it comes to men.

Celine Dion has refused to sing with Sam Bailey on 'The X Factor'.

Former 'X Factor' winners including Shayne Ward and Matt Cardle have been snubbed from the show's 10th anniversary.

The new series of the X Factor has continued to pull in UK audiences after more than 11 million people tuned in to watch the second episode.

1D mania hit London as screaming fans greeted the chart-topping boyband at the world premiere of their film, One Direction: This Is Us.

Mel C is fuming at Matt Cardle being left out of a video promoting the new series of 'The X Factor'.

Dannii Minogue keeps in "constant contact" with her old 'X Factor' acts.

'The X Factor' bosses were shocked when only one person turned up to the show's Essex audition.

Matt Cardle has offered an olive branch to 'X Factor' winner James Arthur after the pair became embroiled in a spat.

The 'X Factor' ratings slide has continued, with Sunday’s final pulling in two million fewer UK viewers than last year.

'The X Factor' will reportedly end next year.

One Direction's 'Live While We're Young' has become America's fastest selling single by a British act in history.

Simon Cowell was worried Gary Barlow would set up an “entertainment empire” to rival his own, according to a new biography of the X Factor supremo.

Almost 10m people tuned in to watch the return of TV talent show the X Factor.

Simon Cowell has demanded the age ranges in the 'X Factor' categories be changed.

Dannii Minogue would return to 'The X Factor' if Simon Cowell approached her.

IF you have been feeling a bit bored recently, you’re not alone.

Outrageous comedy duo The Rubberbandits are set to follow in the footsteps of Father Ted after landing a show on Channel 4.

A series of events in Cork this weekend marks the centenary of innovative composer John Cage, Don O’Mahony reports

The buzz in Dublin’s O2 was only ever going in one direction — through the roof.

X Factor winners Little Mix have outraged fans of Irish performer Damien Rice by releasing a cover of his hit song Cannonball, says Ed Power

Girls came out on top every week during the latest series of 'The X Factor', with female acts dominating every heat, new figures show.

SATURDAY

Matt Cardle thinks Louis Walsh should be taken more seriously.

NOEL GALLAGHER has scored a point against brother Liam, shooting to the top of the British charts with his first solo album.

The winner of 'The X Factor' will no longer land a £1m recording contract.

It is thought Noel Gallagher will beat Matt Cardle to number one in the album charts.

TAKE THAT star Gary Barlow could write the X Factor winner’s first single.

IRISH X-Factor star Janet Devlin has become an overnight internet sensation after her amazing audition on the hit television show.

N-Dubz' Dappy has slammed 'The X Factor' as "unfair".

Veteran shock-rocker Alice Cooper has been honoured for his years of service to the music world at the Kerrang! awards.

Dannii Minogue says she is “over the moon” after being crowned TV Personality of the Year by a UK magazine last night – despite her exit from 'The X Factor'.