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ED-ING FOR THE TOP

Ed Sheeran gives guaranteed Christmas number 1 for X Factor winner… unless it’s Honey G

AFTER last year’s winner’s song flopped in the charts, X Factor bosses have pulled out the big guns to avoid an embarrassing repeat.

I can reveal superstar singer/songwriter ED SHEERAN has sent SIMON COWELL a fresh track which the winning act will release as a Christmas single.

 A song for you ... Ed Sheeran has written a track for this year's X Factor winner
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A song for you ... Ed Sheeran has written a track for this year's X Factor winnerCredit: Getty Images

I’m told it is a trademark Ed acoustic ballad which, given his frightening form in the charts, is likely to fare better than LOUISA JOHNSON’s BOB DYLAN cover Forever Young, which only peaked at No9.

A source said: “Everything Ed does turns to gold. To have him write the winner’s song is huge and amazing news for this year’s winner.

 Out of tune ... Louisa Johnson's cover of Bob Dylan's Forever Young bombed in the charts
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Out of tune ... Louisa Johnson's cover of Bob Dylan's Forever Young bombed in the charts

“All the remaining contestants have heard the track and it works for the majority.

“They can’t believe potentially their first ever single will be written by Ed.

“The only chance his song won’t get used is if 5Am or HONEY G pull off a shock win. Then bosses might need to consider another one of their options.”

 Not so sweet ... Ed's songwriting skills may not be able to work the musical magic should Honey G win the talent show
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Not so sweet ... Ed's songwriting skills may not be able to work the musical magic should Honey G win the talent showCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
 Falling flat ... Simon's choice of Bob Dylan's classic track left Louisa feeling underwhelmed
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Falling flat ... Simon's choice of Bob Dylan's classic track left Louisa feeling underwhelmedCredit: Getty Images

Last month Louisa told me during an interview on my Facebook page that she was never a fan of the Dylan cover chosen by SIMON COWELL and his label Syco.

She said: “I didn’t really gel with it that much, everyone knows it wasn’t the best song. I didn’t really like it, but it was one of those things.”

Her effort last year bucked a trend of X Factor champs going to No1 with their first releases after winning the ITV talent show.

 Hitting the right note ... Ed has been penning tunes for Biebs during his spell out of the limelight
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Hitting the right note ... Ed has been penning tunes for Biebs during his spell out of the limelightCredit: Getty Images

An incredible 11 out of the 12 winners have got to No1 with their winner’s song since the show started in 2004.

It has been nearly a year since I revealed Ed was taking a year off to head into the wilderness, switching off his phone so he can properly relax.

 Sing when you're winning ... Robbie Williams is one of many major stars to have benefited from Eds penmanship
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Sing when you're winning ... Robbie Williams is one of many major stars to have benefited from Eds penmanshipCredit: Getty Images

But the hitmaker hasn’t been totally off duty, he has casually penned monster hits for JUSTIN BIEBER and ROBBIE WILLIAMS in his downtime.

The competition for Christmas No1 just got serious.

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