it's been a while since Mediation updated the X Factor Tipping scores.  so long in fact that the final scores are in.  people it's not good.  Mediation finished joint 9th, with the final scores as follows:

1. Richard 165
2. Lizzy 160
3. Maria 155
4. Nicole 150
5. Davey 140
5. Paul 140
7. David D 135
7. Stu 135
9. Mediation 130
9. Dale 130
9. Emma 130
9. Simon 130
13. Carole 120
13. Nuala 120
15. Phillip 110
16. Jason W 105
16. Nick 105
18. Jason K 100
18. Tom 100
20. Bree 95
21. Laura 60

you can see from the below chart where it all went wrong…

Mediation never recovered from Laura's exit in week five, losing five points and never beating the momentum of the pack to make it back up.  but lots of fun so a big thanks to Dale for organising and a big congrats to Richard for winning.  of course Richard wasn't the only winner on the night…

Alexandra won big time.  her single – a version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah – is (I'm informed by my MD) the fastest-selling
download ever across Europe, despite only being available since yesterday.  HMV
believe it is unstoppable for Chrimbo No. 1.  so well done Alexandra.

well done too to Cheryl, who in six months has gone from the pretty one in that girl band, to the nation's favourite girl done good…  not only did she win in her rookie year but did it with a style and passion that left certain other judges looking rather cold indeed.

not left in the cold were ITV who won an astounding 58% share of audience in the results show.  the ratings peak of 14.8m viewers made it the highest rating UK programme since the Only Fools &
Horses Christmas Special five years ago.  at the network's upfronts presentation in October Peter Fincham et al described ITV1 as the home of event TV; Saturday's performance must have been a welcome boost to ITV execs in the run up to Chrimbo.  all that and Dancing on Ice hasn't even started yet.

but the biggest winner of the night was Cowell, who will profit from a successful Alexandra, and popular Cheryl and a happy Michael Grade.  Show business eh, there's nothing like it.

X Factor Winners: (from top) Alexandra Burke, Cheryl Cole, Michael Grade and Simon Cowell