Rak-Su X-static
They see off Grace to claim TV title
BOYBAND Rak-Su are looking for a No1 Xmas hit after the four-strong group won X Factor last night, beating singer-songwriter Grace Davies in the final.
HUNKY boyband Rak-Su were last night crowned X Factor’s 14th winnners.
The bookies’ favourites beat fellow finalist Grace Davies for the prize of a record deal.
Thrilled band member Jamaal said: “I want to thank everyone at home and everyone here and all my family who have made this experience so special.”
Simon Cowell, the Watford lads’ mentor, said: “They’re gentlemen and stars. It’s been an honour and an education to work with them.”
Their debut single, Dimelo, was performed with Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy on the ITV show.
Rak-Su penned their own track and it was released straight to download last night.
Record bosses hope it will battle for the Christmas No1 slot against George Michael and Wham’s Last Christmas. Ed Sheeran and Beyoncé’s Perfect is another rival.
Proceeds will go to the charities Together For Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase. The lads, who claim their band name comes from the phrase “Tracks vs Suits”, reckon their success is down to contestants being allowed to perform their own songs this year.
Fans loved hearing Jamaal, Ashley, Myles and Mustafa sing their own tracks and Cowell admitted: “This is a game changer.”
Despite big changes to this year’s series, the show’s ratings suffered.
On Saturday, figures slumped to an all-time low when just four million viewers saw the grand final’s first part, the lowest ever – not only for a final but also any show since its 2004 launch. Strictly got 9.7m.
Cowell tried everything to boost viewing figures, including staging it at London’s ExCeL Centre with guests One Direction’s Louis Tomlinson plus Pete Tong and his Heritage Orchestra.