Tat's entertainment for X Factor victor

The superstitious winner said he had been hoarding bits of old tat for weeks in a bid to continue his streak.

Almost 20 million people watched the former painter and decorator sing his way to triumph by winning the ITV1 talent show.

He is now aiming for a Christmas number one with debut single When We Collide, a cover of a track by Scottish rock trio Biffy Clyro.

Cardle, 27 and from Colchester in Essex, admitted he had been carrying out a bizarre ritual to ensure all went smoothly.

"I'm so superstitious and I put any kind of rubbish that I get, old sweet wrappers, cigarette wrappers, anything like that, in my bag," he told ITV morning show Lorraine.

"If I get through a round, then I don't take it out, so my bag is literally bursting with rubbish."

And he said the whole experience – which saw him land a lucrative record deal – has left him spinning and is yet to sink in.

He added: "Last night was an absolute blur."