James Arthur is fastest selling X Factor winner

James Arthur has become the fastest-selling X Factor winner in the show’s history.

The singer’s winner’s single ‘Impossible’ has sold over 187,000 downloads during its first 24 hours on sale, since he was crowded champion on Sunday evening (December 9).

The first-day sales figures have been released ahead of the track’s physical release on Wednesday (December 12), which will help boost sales further, reports the (OCC) The Official Charts Company.

Alexandra Burke’s ‘Hallelujah’ was the previous fastest-selling winner’s track, after it sold 147,000 copies during its first 24 hours on sale back in 2008.

Matt Cardle sold 112,000 copies of ‘When We Collide’ in 2010, Leona Lewis sold 101,000 of ‘A Moment Like This’ in 2006, while last year’s winners Little Mix sold 69,000 copies of ‘Cannonball’ during its first day.

However, despite only selling 46,000 digital copies of ‘That’s My Goal’ during its first day on sale in 2005, Shayne Ward went on to shift 289,000 copies of the track in 24 hours when it was released physically on the Wednesday.

“There has been a lot said about X Factor’s popularity this year and questions have been raised that perhaps its momentum is beginning to wane,” said OCC Managing Director Martin Talbot.

“But this amazing opening performance by James Arthur suggests that it remains the pre-eminent launch pad for new artists. Whether Arthur will match Shayne Ward’s 2005 total, only time will tell – but he has a fantastic chance.”

Ward’s ‘That’s My Goal’ still retains its record for the best-selling opening week for an X Factor winner’s single, after selling a total of 742,000.

Burke’s ‘Hallelujah’ follows with 576,000 first-week sales, while Lewis is in third with ‘A Moment Like This’ tallying up 576,000 sales.