Joe McElderry: 'The Climb'

The X Factor champ covering Miley Bloody Cyrus? Huh? Has Sinitta been slipping something into Simon's butterscotch Angel Delight? Actually though, once you get over the initial WTF?!, it becomes clear that 'The Climb' is perfect winner's single material - a shamelessly sentimental power ballad about moving mountains, taking chances, keeping the faith and the like. Crucially, it wasn't too big a hit over here either, peaking just outside the top ten when Cyrus released it back in February.

It also quite suits Joe McElderry, a pop singer who's closer to Cliff than Justin, more kisses 'n' cuddles than damp panties. The South Shields lad is as listenable as ever here, tackling every cliché with his usual note-perfect conviction and comfortably rising above the rumpus on the choir-backed crescendo. The result? As surprising as finding a turkey sarnie parked in front of you five minutes before 'Enders on Christmas night, but just as satisfying in its own stodgy, familiar way. Now, aren't you glad that we – well, 61.3% of us, anyway - plumped for the clearly superior KellyBronze over the bogstandard supermarket jobbie?