This year’s X Factor champ is facing a chart showdown with a very familiar face – series judge Cheryl Cole.

It will be a harsh welcome to the cruel world of pop for the winner, especially if it is Joe McElderry, who I’ve tipped for victory.
The little Geordie lad, the 4/1 X Factor favourite, is a dead cert for the Christmas No1 if he wins the grand final two weeks tomorrow. But gentle Joe could see a very different side to his mentor Cheryl once the turkey and stuffing has all gone.

So far Chezza has protected her little protege like a tough-nut schoolkid shielding a cousin from class bullies. But the gloves will be off when she releases 3 Words, the second single from her debut solo album of the same name, a week after The X Factor champ’s single.

A source says: “Cheryl and the record label decided to put the next single out after Christmas. The X Factor winner is always one of the biggest hits of the year and Cheryl will have a tough job toppling it.
She really is the most popular pop star in the UK at the moment, but nothing can compare to the support The X Factor single always gets.”

Traditionally the first week of the new year is the worst for record sales, but Cheryl’s cunning record bosses have spotted a chance to grab a second No1.

Chart expert Gennaro Castaldo, from HMV, told me: “Whoever wins The X Factor claims the Christmas No1 spot and can look forward to a run at the top that lasts well into the new year.

“But if anyone can stop The X Factor bandwagon it has to be Cheryl Cole. Cheryl’s already topping HMV’s books and calendar charts, and her album is doing really well in the Top Ten also. The one thing that might count against Cheryl is a lot of fans already own this song having bought her album. So we’d say the odds are likely to remain stacked in favour of The X Factor winner to be the first No1 of 2010.”

Joe – you best get your mentor a cracker of a Chrimbo prezzie.

Source: The Sun