Simon Cowell guided X Factor winner Joe McElderry to top spot in singles chart

Joe McElderry’s “The Climb” landed top spot at the weekend beating Rage Against The Machine’s “Killing in the name of”, to secure the number one in the singles chart as we enter 2010.

After missing out on the Christmas number one, the 18-year-old X factor winner was thrilled to have bounced back.

His song, originally a hit for Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus, sold 196,000 copies in its second week to push the US rock band’s single down to second place in the singles chart.

The singer from South Shields in the North East said he was “so happy” at finally reaching number one.

He said: “Thank you so much to everyone that has supported me, this had been the best Christmas ever and I want to wish everyone a very happy new year.”

McElderry's mentor Cheryl Cole also jumped up the charts this week

McElderry’s TV mentor, Cheryl Cole, saw her song “Three Words” jump from seventh to fourth – behind Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” that remained in third place.