The X-Factor winner is set to release a cover of Damien Rice's 'Cannonball' as their debut single, according to the Sun.

According to the article, all four of the show’s remaining contestants have recorded a version of 'Cannonball', which one of three tracks being considered for release.

A source told the paper: "It's one of three songs being considered for release. The acts are still recording the different options but Cannonball has a good shot. After reworking Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' for Alexandra Burke then Biffy's track 'Many Of Horror' for Matt last year, it's the next step. It would be a safe bet to sell well in the run-up to Christmas."

This year’s “talent” competition ends on December 11, with the named winner releasing their debut single on that very same night. With the Christmas Number One being announced on Christmas Day itself this year, the single will need to secure two weeks at Number One to become this year’s Christmas chart topper.

When 'Cannonball' was released as a single back in 2004 it peaked in the charts at Number 19, but the track been in constant use ever since on television and film, and is considered as one of the iconic songs of the “noughties”.

After the success of 2008 winner Alexandra Burke’s covering of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' as her debut release, Rage Against the Machine beat X Factor's Joe McEldery to Christmas No 1 after a Facebook campaign against Simon Cowell's chart domination of the Christmas number 1.

X-Factor winner Matt Cardle covered Biffy Clyro's 'Many Of Horror' (renamed 'When We Collide') when he won the competition last year but there are further grumblings of another campaign to take back to top spot from the X-factor Christmas No 1 juggernaut.