The chart battle is over, but Rage Against the Machine won the war
After an epic battle, it was finally revealed last night that Rage Against the Machine pipped X Factor winner Joe McElderry to the post for Christmas number one.
It's been one of the closest races in years, but in the end Rage outsold Geordie Joe by around 50,000 sales.
This all comes after an anti-X Factor Facebook group began urging fans to buy Rage Against the Machine's 1992 song ahead of Joe's a few weeks back.
The ensuing battle between the American band's single Killing in the Name and Joe's Miley Cyrus cover, The Climb, was described by industry experts last night as 'possibly the greatest chart upset ever'.
It is also the first time a single has gone to number one on downloads alone.
Simon Cowell - who's spending Christmas in Barbados - was reported to be ‘gutted' for the X Factor winner, but lovely Joe was gracious in defeat.
The star posted a message to fans on his Twitter page, saying: ‘Hey guys thank you to everybody that bought the single and supported me! Well done to RATM for a interesting chart battle.'
We're sure you'll do better next time, Joe.
Joe McElderry or Rage Against the Machine? Who did you support in the battle for Christmas number one? Let us know your thoughts in the comments box below.
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