X Factor single sets European sales record

X FACTOR winner Alexandra Burke’s debut single Hallelujah has set a European record, beating Leona Lewis, a previous champion of the show.

Burke’s single was yesterday confirmed as the fastest-selling download single ever across Europe.

The single sold more than 105,000 copies in Britain on download only in just one day on Sunday, smashing the record of 82,000 downloads in one day achieved by previous X Factor winner Lewis with her debut release A Moment Like This.

More than 14 million viewers tuned in to see Burke clinch this year’s title, in an emotionally-charged climax which saw her duet with Beyonce.

Burke, 20, released her version of the Leonard Cohen classic as a download less than two hours after claiming the winner’s crown.

Hallelujah went to number one on HMV.com, 7Digital and Play.com’s download chart, as well as being top of the iTunes 100 chart. The single will be released in shops tomorrow.

HMV’s Gennaro Castaldo said: “We’re seeing a phenomenal rush to download the Hallelujah single from our website hmv.com.

“It’s both our fastest and biggest-ever selling download, and Alexandra already has the Christmas number one all wrapped up.

“The physical CD single, which comes out on Wednesday, will give the release another huge boost, and it’s now about how many copies Alexandra may go on to sell.

“HMV is ordering massive extra stock to keep up with the unprecedented demand.”