Sam Bailey has won 'The X Factor' 2013.
Sam Bailey has won 'The X Factor' 2013, beating Nicholas McDonald in tonight's final.
The former prison warden beat Nicholas McDonald in the reality TV final tonight to be crowned winner of the ITV series in its 10th year.
Sam's heartfelt rendition of track 'Skyscraper' - originally by Demi Lovato, which will be released as her winner's single - brought judges Nicole Scherzinger and Sharon Osbourne to tears.
After a tense moment before it was revealed she had won, the 36-year-old mother-of-two said: "In the time that I've been in this competition I've grown not only as a person but in my music.
"There's one person that's been so inspirational and that's [mentor] Sharon Osbourne. I love her to pieces."
Head of the judging panel Gary Barlow told her: "You've stolen the hearts of the nation. You've done this on behalf of people whose dreams have stayed dreams."
Nicole - who duetted with Sam on last night's show - added: "You got me looking like a hot mess, the first time I saw you, you brought tears to my eyes, and you've done it again with your last performance. That voice is a gift from God."
The evening had started with boy band One Direction, followed by Nicholas - who was mentored by fourth judge Louis Walsh - singing his favourite song from the series, 'Angel' by Sarah McLachlan, and Sam performing hers, Jennifer Rush's 'The Power Of Love'.
Katy Perry then appeared, singing her track 'Unconditionally' from inside an giant gold birdcage.
Sam and Nicholas then went back on stage to perform their potential winner's songs. Nicholas' track, 'Superman', received a rapturous applause before Sam took to the stage.
After finding out she had won, she performed the track a second time.
She later said: "I'm still in shock but all my dreams have come true tonight. I'm overwhelmed by all the support I've received and wish I could thank everyone individually for making this such a special moment for me. I love my single and with the proceeds from it going to such great causes, I really couldn't be happier."
Profits from Sam's version of 'Skyscraper' - which is available to buy now - will go to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity and Together for Short Lives.
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