US TV
The 25-year-old from Missouri took the crown with 56% of the public vote, holding off competition from David Archuleta in last night's live final. In total, 97.5 million votes were cast, beating the previous record by more than 20 million.
Cook, who had performed rock versions of pop classics throughout the show's run, was criticised by Simon Cowell for his performance of Collective Soul's 'The World I Know' on Tuesday, only to see the judge apologise the following night.
"I went back home to watch it, it wasn't quite so clear cut as we called it," Cowell explained. "I will take this opportunity to apologise because I think I was verging on disrespectful with you. I don't think you deserved that."
This year's final between the two Davids is the first time two male contestants have competed for the American Idol prize since Ruben Studdard defeated Clay Aiken in 2003.
Cook and runner-up Archuleta are now expected to sign recording contracts with Sony BMG.
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