Congratulations to Reece Masden, crowned winner of the 2011 X Factor Australia. Reece beat Andrew Wishart for the title after both saw off Johnny Ruffo early in the two-hour long finale. Reece wins a recording contract with Sony Music and a management deal.

In the second example of preferential promotion by Channel 7 this year, Reece was on unbackable odds to win with him featuring prominently in all ads and appearances. It was hardly fair, though host Luke Jacobz did point out before announcing the winner that the two were separated in the public vote by “only 1%”.

Reece’s winning single, Good Night, is available on iTunes and Bandit.fm and shoved into inboxes of commercial radio stations across the country. A debut album to is to follow before Christmas.

The Grand Final show also saw a return performance from Emanuel Kelly, who performed his moving audition song, John Lennon’s Imagine, with the Top 12. Luke O’Dell also delivered a surprise performance of his original song, Introvert/Extrovert. The finale also featured performances from The Fray, Kylie Minogue and judge, Guy Sebastian.

The success of this series of X Factor Australia has ensured the reality singing show will return on Channel 7 in 2012.