Bookmakers Facing X Factor Payout

Bookmakers pays out following X Factor final.

Bookmakers William Hill is facing a payout today following X Factor success for 1/3 favourite Joe McElderry.

Much of the McElderry family placed bets with the bookmakers meaning that a payout of more than £7,000 is due.

"Cowell has killed us - this is the worst result any of us can remember, watch them queue outside our shops tomorrow!" said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.

The X Factor winner is now the favourite to grab the Christmas number one spot at 1/5. Rage Against The Machine are 10/3 to scupper the efforts of the singer following huge internet support.

As the series closed last night (Sunday December 13th) speculation continued about the future of the show and its four current judges. The bookmakers lists Robbie Williams as 6/1 to be the next permanent judge on the show, with Lily Allen at 8/1 and Sharon Osbourne and Paula Abdul listed at 10/1.