‘The X Factor’ UK: Ranking Matt Terry versus all of the other winners!

This past weekend, we saw the end of this season of “The X Factor” UK, and with that, we also had the crowning of our latest champion in Matt Terry.

Now that we’ve had some time to reflect on that, it’s time to raise a little bit of another question: Where does he stand in the roster of the show’s winners? We’ve spent a little bit of time over the last week trying to figure that out, since it is a little bit difficult to gauge just because of the sole notion that it’s difficult to judge Matt’s success one week out as opposed to some other winners who’ve had years to test out their careers. Still, we’ve at the very least determined an accurate representation of where we think the majority of these champions stand.

13. Steve Brookstein (season 1) – This isn’t just about a relative lack of success after the show; this is also about Brookstein’s openly complaining about the franchise that made him a star for so many years after the fact. He’s ultimately done more harm than good for the franchise.

12. Ben Haenow (season 11) – While Ben started out strongly with a winner’s single that sold well, his “Second Hand Heart” single didn’t get traction despite a Kelly Clarkson feature and he quickly fell off the map. However, he does seem like a nice guy.

11. Leon Jackson (season 4) – We’ll give Jackson a slight edge of Ben for sticking around the show for a while longer in terms of relevance. However, at the same exact time he’s since slipped largely into oblivion.

10. Sam Bailey (season 10) – One of the best winners in terms of pure singers, but since that time she’s become known for being a lesser version of Brookstein, making headlines for harsh comments towards the show at times and even her former mentor Sharon Osbourne.

9. Joe McElderry (season 6) – He beat Olly Murs, so you have to give him some credit for that. At this point, he’s probably more known for a number of different reality TV successes than as an individual recording artist.

8. Louisa Johnson (season 12) – The jury’s probably still out on her long-term success, given that on the surface she has everything that you’d want in a young pop star; to date, it’s just not connecting in terms of substantial sales.

7. Matt Terry (season 13) – Matt’s winner single is performing better than Louisa’s did, and we do think he’s got relatively-similar marketability as a young pop star. Therefore, this seems like a reasonable spot for him as a winner … but we’ll update it in a year’s time.

6. Matt Cardle (season 7) – Like with Joe, he did beat a prominent act in One Direction — a further reminder that the most successful contestants always win. Matt isn’t necessarily a household name in 2016, but he continues to be a touring musician and has released several albums.

5. Shayne Ward (season 2) – There was a time when Shayne was extremely popular in parts of the UK and Ireland, and while that time seems long past, it’s still worth noting. Also, this is the only Louis Walsh act to have won the competition.

4. Alexandra Burke (season 5) – While not a household name here in America, she did have some success in the UK and is the first one of these thirteen contestants that we’d argue has some significant staying power. That means something in an era where stars fade fast.

3. James Arthur (season 9) – “Say You Won’t Let Go” is the biggest hit for an “X Factor” winner since “Bleeding Love,” and it still is waiting to impact America until a likely blitz in the new year. He’s had a rocky road, but some of his music success speaks for itself.

2. Leona Lewis (season 3) – “Bleeding Love” was enormous all over the world, and “Happy” proved itself to be a moderate hit in its own right. She’s sold countless albums, and while she hasn’t had a hit in the while, she seems set to be a professional singer for the remainder of her life in a comfortable fashion.

1. Little Mix (season 8) – They’re the only group to win, and the only winner to find global success close to One Direction. You can debate as to whether they or Fifth Harmony is the biggest girl group in the world, but the fact that they’re in the conversation and have several #1 hits and top albums is incredibly impressive.

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Who do you think is the best winner of “The X Factor” to date? Be sure to share in the attached comments, and head over here to get some other news pertaining to the show! (Photo: ITV.)