He has been a viewer's favourite since the very first show.
And Tate Stevens proved he had that elusive X Factor as he won the talent show on Thursday night.
The 37-year-old country singer beat teenager Carly Rose Sonenclar into second place to scoop first place on the hit TV show and a $5m record contract.
He wins it all: Tate Stevens triumphed over Carly Rose Sonenclair and Fifth Harmony after 35million voters were cast
It goes to Tate: Mario reveals the winner
The pair went head to head for top spot after Simon Cowell's girl group Fifth Harmony were eliminated from the finale as 35m votes were cast.
With tears in his eyes and his voice cracking Stevens, a married road worker from Belton, Missouri, said: 'First and foremost I've got to thank the man upstairs for taking care of me.
'My family, all the country music fans, God bless you and thank you so very much for all the votes. This is the best day of my life.'
Awe-struck: 'Thank you so very much for all the votes,' Tate said
He's number 1: Mario mimes Tate's first place win
Tears of joy: Tate teared up as he was announced winner
His delighted mentor L.A Reid gave Tate a huge hug and congratulated him on his victory.
'You deserve this, I am proud to work with you and I think you represent the X Factor really, really well,' said Reid.
'On behalf of myself, Simon and all the other judges congratulations.'
Final send-off: Stevens regained his composure and again sang 'Tomorrow' by Chris Young
Standing ovation: Tate had their judges on their feet
Celebrate: The judges gave Tate a standing O for his win
For the fans: Tate couldn't have done it without the fan vote
Congrats L.A.: Britney congratulated L.A. as his contestant Tate won
Alls well: The pair hugged it out after a season of fighting
Stevens regained his composure and again sang 'Tomorrow' by Chris Young as the judges hugged each other in front of him.
Before the big announcement Tate and Carly Rose took to the stage to sing a duet of 'The Climb' by Miley Cyrus.
Fifth Harmony were the first of the top three to discover their fate.
More scared: Simon looked more scared than his group Fifth Harmony
First to go: Fifth Harmony were the first of the top three to discover their fate
Final fate: The girls were still grateful despite their loss
Hug it out: Fifth Harmony joined Simon in a final embrace
With all three groups stood on stage together host Mario Lopez announced that Fifth Harmony had been voted off.
'I have a feeling we are going to be hearing and seeing a lot more of these girls in the future,' said Simon.
To begin the show the finalists, dressed all in red and black, arrived on the red carpet in black SUVs one after the other singing 'All You Need Is Love' by the Beatles.
Emotions: Britney and Carly were overcome by her loss
Young talent: She came in second place despite being only 13
Top two: Carly gave Tate a big hug after his win
Last goodbye: L.A. and Carly hugged it out after her loss
Off stage: Simon congratulated Tate from his X Factor seat
Country singer Tate was the first finalist to sing on the results show.
Tate took on Bing Crosby's 'I'll Be Home For Christmas' with some sexy gift-wrapped backing singers.
Tate's mentor L.A Reid took the chance to congratulate his singer on getting this far in the competition.
He'll be home soon: Tate took on Bing Crosby's 'I'll Be Home For Christmas'
Sexy santa: Tate was joined by sexy back up dancers
Ladies man: Tate enjoyed his sexy gift-wrapped backing singers
Christmas cheer: Tate sang the Christmas classic as the girls added in modern moves
Better than Bing: Tate put a country twist on Bing Crosby's classic
'You know what I think you have done an amazingly consistent job and I wish you absolutely the best tonight,' he said.
'Good luck to you and I am really hoping you can take this thing home.'
A montage of good luck messages from his home town was played, with Tate's wife Ashlie telling the singer how much he means to his family.
One and two: Before the win was announced Tate already prophesied his win
One last tune: Tate and Carly sang a duet to a Miley Cirus tune
Crooning Carly: Carly fought it out for her last duet
Better than Miley: Carly sang big notes on Miley's song
It's the Climb: The two changed up Miley's tune
Watching along: The judges watched along as Carly and Tate sang a duet
'The kids and I are so grateful to you for putting your dreams aside for us to ensure that we were taken care of, you have just been such a huge rock for us,' she said.
'I just want you to know that no matter what happens tonight I am proud of you and I love you.'
Openly shedding tears Tate said: 'Those are the people I care most about and so hopefully we can do this tonight, we will see.
Country cool: Tate put a country twang on Miley's pop song
Learning their fate: Carly and Tate stood together after their performance
True winner: 'You deserve this, I am proud to work with you,' L.A. said
'I cant put into words what winning this would do, it would change everything.'
Second up on stage was Simon's girl group Fifth Harmony, who performed 'Christmas' by Maria Carey.
'I'm very, very proud of these girls. We have got to know each other as friends now and my fingers are very, very crossed for you tonight,' said Simon.
Plunging neckline: Simon showed off his chest as he introduced his girls
It's Christmas: Fifth Harmony performed 'Christmas' by Maria Carey
Little stars: 'I'm very, very proud of these girls,' Simon said
His girl friends: 'We have got to know each other as friends,' Simon said
Their man: Fifth Harmony was proud of their mentor, Simon
It's not over: 'We'll be seeing a lot more of these girls in the future,' said Simon
Third up was Carly Rose Sonenclar, a 13-year-old schoolgirl from Westchester, New York, who sang Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas.'
On Wednesday's show she sang Nina Simone's 'Feeling Good', duetted with country star LeAnn Rimes on the singer's hit song 'How Do I Live', and sang Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah.'
'It is pretty surreal, I can't believe it is even happing, it has been amazing, said Carly Rose.
Britney told the audience how much she loved Carly Rose.
No Christmas win: Carly sang Mariah Carey's 'All I Want For Christmas'
Amazing: 'It has been amazing,' said Carly Rose
Fireside serenade: Carly wore all red as she sang by the fire
All tears: Britney cried as she told the audience how much she loved Carly Rose
Britney's star: 'She is spectacular,' said Britney
Beaming Britney: Britney showed her excitement as Carly performed
'It never ceases to amaze me every time she performs it is different every time, she is spectacular,' said Britney.
And Simon also chimed in with praise saying: 'When we decided we were going to take the age range down we were not sure what these singers were going to be like.
'At 13 years old this girl has got such a huge career ahead of her and we are really lucky to have found her for this show.'
After the performances rapper Pitbull and British boy band One Direction entertained the crowd.
Ajouté le 21/12/2012 par lifeng -
