Since 2010's X Factor final, which saw Matt Cardle triumph over Rebecca Ferguson, records show a loss of 4.91m viewers, down from 17.7m.

BBC: James Arthur wins X Factor final

The bumper ratings were helped by the 17.2m people who saw former painter and decorator Matt Cardle win this year's X Factor on ITV1.

BBC: Sunday night TV ratings highest on record

Cardle sold 439, 000 copies to see off competition from a number of Facebook-led campaigns, Rihanna Ft Drake, and the original version of his own single.

BBC: X Factor's Matt Cardle grabs UK Christmas number one