X Factor single sets European sales record

(Getty)

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke's debut single Hallelujah has set a European record, beating Leona Lewis, a previous champion of the show.

Burke's single was today confirmed as the fastest-selling download single ever across the whole of Europe.

The single sold over 105,000 copies in the UK on download only in just one day yesterday, smashing the record of 82,000 downloads in one day achieved by previous X Factor winner Lewis with her debut release A Moment Like This.

Lewis has enjoyed huge international success since she won the talent contest two years ago.

More than 14 million viewers tuned in to see Burke clinch this year's title, in an emotionally-charged climax which saw her duet with Beyonce.

Burke, 20, released her version of the Leonard Cohen classic as a download less than two hours after claiming the winner's crown.

Hallelujah went to number one on HMV.com, 7Digital and Play.com's download chart, as well as being top of the iTunes 100 chart.

The single will be released physically in shops on Wednesday.

HMV's Gennaro Castaldo said: "We're seeing a phenomenal rush to download the Hallelujah single from our website hmv.com.

"It's both our fastest and biggest-ever selling download, and Alexandra already has the Christmas number one all wrapped up.

"The physical CD single, which comes out on Wednesday, will give the release another huge boost, and it's now about how many copies Alexandra may go on to sell.

"HMV is ordering massive extra stock to keep up with the unprecedented demand."

Take That's recent number one smash Greatest Day sold 9,488 downloads on its first day, and Girls Aloud's track The Promise, which also hit the top spot, sold 7,600 downloads.

London mayor Boris Johnson has said he will be writing to congratulate Burke on the win.

Johnson said: "It is wonderful to see a Londoner, and a fellow north Londoner at that, winning the X Factor.

"I wish her the very best with her singing career and trust it will be the success she wishes and hopes for."