'X Factor' winner Matt Cardle takes Christmas top slot in UK charts

X Factor winner Matt Cardle has taken the coveted Christmas number one slot in the British singles charts.

He sold 4,39,000 copies in the six days following his win in the television talent show, propelling him straight to the top of the charts with his single 'When We Collide', the Official Charts Company said on Sunday.

It was the biggest weekly number of sales for a non-charity release this year, outsold only by the song for Haiti earthquake victims.

"I can't believe it, as if winning wasn't enough," he said in a statement.

"I honestly didn't think I'd even make it on to the live shows, let alone win and now be the Christmas Number One. I can't even begin to describe how if feels. It's nuts, crackers and crazy. I'm going to have one or two beers to celebrate."

The original version of the track, called 'Many of Horror' by Biffy Clyro, was a new entrant at number eight.

R&B singer Rihanna moved up two places to number two with her single 'What's My Name', featuring Drake.

American rock band The Trashmen, supported by a Facebook-led campaign, were a new entrant at number three but they failed to match the success of Rage Against the Machine, which took the Christmas number one last year with 'Killing in the Name'.

In the album charts, Take That remained at number one with 'Progress', while Rihanna repeated her singles chart form by moving from number four to number two with 'Loud'.

The late Michael Jackson was a new entrant at number four with 'Michael'.