Alexandra Burke: 'The Silence'

So, what did Burkey ask Big Si to give her for Crimbo this year? Nope, not a new pair of Louboutins because her heels are… but the chance, after four dance-pop stompers on the trot, to release a ballad as a single. And guess what, Lord Cowell of Holland Park has proven he's no Scrooge!

He's even had 'The Silence', the standout slowie from Burke's debut album, tarted up for its chart run, with the result that this already pretty muscular power ballad has now morphed into the pop equivalent of Schwarzenegger circa 1975. Crucially, Burke's got the chops to compliment RedOne's bombastic production - in fact, Cowell should probably consider the money note she hits at 2.23 his thank-you letter. Wow.