Anyone else think that the Winner's Single has got a much less change of getting to number 1 knowing that it won't be released on the typical release day, Friday, but 2/3 days after on the Sunday/Monday affecting its sales?

It actually won't be in the running for Christmas Number One this year unless it has really strong second week sales.

The Official Chart Company has confirmed that this year's Christmas Number 1 will be the 25th December itself. They have been touting a 'wide open race' this year because as it stands with the Final onSunday 13th December and the song released immediately as per recent Finals, that means it will chart on the 18th. All of the other Christmas releases whatever they may be, will be released on the 18th itself giving them a significant advantage. If Cowell wants Christmas Number 1 he would have to hold back the song until 5 days after the Final which could either build up the anticipation or lose the initial impact.

It would be good to going back to acts battling for the xmas No. 1 and have something good and original for a change.

Cilla re rerelease will win

I know it's probably not the best comparison but if you look at Pop Idol, Will Young won the show on 9th February 2002. His winner's single wasn't released until two weeks later on 25th February when it went on to sell over 1 million copies in that first week.

Maybe if Simon held back the release until the 18th December, and had the CD single (assuming they plan on releasing one this year) available to release in the shops from that day, it might actually boost sales of the winner's single - that's depending on who wins. If they have a great winner (HA!!!...well, I'm yet to be convinced of this happening) then we could see another X Factor winners single selling over 400k in its first week.

If the winner is more banal forgettable shite it'll probably sell 200k and the show goes back to square one ready to do it all over again in 2016. A bit like now with the comparable success of Ben and Fleur.