Alexandra Burke claims 'X Factor' title

London (ANI): Alexandra Burke, mentored by singer Cheryl Cole, has claimed the 'X Factor' title along with bagging herself a million pound contract. The Londoner, who had been the bookies' favourite and had been predicted to be the winner by TV Biz, tasted victory after more than eight million fans cast their votes to select the new star of the 2008 series of UK television talent show.

The 20-year-old had previously auditioned for the 2005 series, where she had reached the last seven in her category, but had not been selected for the finals, reports the Sun. The teary-eyed pop-R&B singer urged others to follow their dreams, saying: "I went for this show three years ago and I got told to go home because I wasn't ready. So I came back three years later and look what's happened. It proves you must always, always try again."