Altiyan wins The X Factor

Altiyan Childs has won The X Factor.

The 35 year old forklift driver from Sydney defeated 20 year old Victorian singer Sally Chatfield.

18 year old Andew Lawson, mentored by Kyle Sandilands, was eliminated earlier in the Final.

Childs, who was mentored by Irish singer Ronan Keating, was the favourite to win the contest after a finding his groove with a series of 80s and 90s rock songs across the series. It was a “rags to riches” rise after many had questioned even making the Top 12.

While Childs proved popular with audiences he also developed a reputation for forgetting his lyrics. His wild performances were matched by headlines about erratic behaviour, including spending the night in a cave on Sydney shores.

Sally Chatfield, the hairdressing apprentice with the big voice, rarely sang a dud note across the series, emerging as a talented performer.

The Final included more performances from Jamiroquai, James Blunt and INXS.

The Seven series, revived after TEN’s attempt at the series in 2005, was plagued by problems beginning with the dumping of host Matthew Newton and ongoing questions about judge Kyle Sandilands showing enough interest in mentoring his acts. Ratings for the series have been below market expectations, especially in light of the huge costs said to be $22m.

But it has now been without its devotees, some spectacular production numbers and international musical acts including including Boyzone, Adam Lambert, Enrique Iglesias, Mike Posner, Jason Derulo, Ke$ha, Robin Gibb and Mel B.

Seven is yet to announce a renewal of the show for 2011.

Childs wins a recording contract with Sony and will release “Somewhere in the World” as his first single.