Fleur East finishes second place in The X Factor 2014 final

Well, we didn't see that coming! Fleur East came runner-up in tonight's X Factor final.

Her mentor Simon Cowell insisted he was a big fan of both her and his other finalist Ben Haenow but Croydon boy Ben pipped her to the post when it came to being named the winner.

Hearing the news, a happy Fleur congratulated Ben, saying: "I’m so grateful. I’m so grateful. Well done Ben. This is unbelievable!”

Fleur was the hot favourite to win the contest and earlier in the evening received brilliant comments from the judges about her performance of Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson.

Louis Walsh said: "It just doesn’t get any better than that performance... You’ve entertained us, you sing , you dance. I think a star is born"

Mel B said: "I mean, what can I say. There’s no doubt about it. You just came out here and killed it tonight, killed it.

"I could head that your voice was a little bit tired but you still just went for it and gave us that Fleur performance everyone just loves."

Simon concluded: "Oh my God! You know what, I’ve gotta say this, of all the finalists I’ve ever had on any of these shows, in a final, that was the greatest performance I’ve ever witnessed. I’m torn because I’d actually like to split the prize and give both of you The X Factor."

You don't have to win to have an amazing career, Fleur! Err, hello One Direction...

GALLERY: The 24 finalists of X Factor 2014 from judges' houses