X Factor final: Louisa Johnson wins 2015 contest

Louisa Johnson is the winner of this year's X Factor after beating Reggie N Bollie in the 2015 final at Wembley Arena.

During the series finale the 17-year-old, who was mentored by Rita Ora, sang two songs in front of the judges and a 10,000-strong audience.

"This is my dream and I'm loving it," said Johnson from Essex.

"I've imagined this day for so many years, you don't understand. Thank you so much," she said.

Johnson chose to sing James Brown's It's a Man's Man's Man's World for one of her final performances after impressing the judges with a rendition earlier in the series.

"That is why it's called the X Factor," Simon Cowell said.

"I can honestly say, in all the years I have done this show, I have never heard anything as good as that."

Reggie N Bollie repeated their mash-up of One Direction's What Makes You Beautiful, OMI's Cheerleader and I Like to Move It Move It by Reel 2 Real

Louisa will now release a cover of Bob Dylan's Forever Young.

Johnson's version was greeted by raucous applause from around the arena.

"You stand there like a professional singer and you have the audience in the palm of your hands," said Cheryl.

"I'm incredibly proud of you," said fellow judge Cowell. "I really believe we're witnessing the birth of a star."

Sunday's final was peppered with performances from some of the UK's biggest acts

Coldplay, Adele and One Direction all took to the stage.

Wayne Rooney, James Corden, Little Mix and David Beckham were among those to send video messages saying how much they'll miss One Direction when they go on their planned break next year.

"Boys, what can I say? Five years and you've given so much to so many people. Unbelievably talented, but more importantly unbelievable guys," Beckham said.

X Factor winners have had mixed success over the show's 12 years, with runners up such as Olly Murs and JLS often proving more successful than the winners.

One Direction came third the year Matt Cardle won the competition.

The ITV show has also struggled with audience figures in recent years.

Saturday's penultimate show drew its lowest ever ratings, with 5.95 million tuning in to watch live.

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