Telly Talk: Simon Cowell may have saved his last words for the fans as the latest series of X-Factor bowed out, with Matt Cardle crowned the winner, but it’s unlikely the viewers will remember it all that fondly, writes Tracey O’Sullivan.

In a series dogged by scandal and controversy, the media mogul was lucky to have the ultimate Mr Genuine and Miss Nice as the last two standing. With up to 20 million people tuning in, Simon needed a handy reminder that all he was doing was providing good wholesome family entertainment. Of course you are, Mr Cowell  – and tantrum-throwing Cher Lloyd is a girl scout.

There’s no doubt he will be pretty pleased with his winner, but the fact is all of the top five acts will do well. Their recording contracts will bring in plenty of cash, but I still think the voters staged one final protest as the show reached its glittering climax.

Matt was, of course, the favourite from the beginning, and a worthy winner, but the worthy are often the least likely to eventually be declared champion; viewers are often much more intrigued by a developing story.

That would make Rebecca the better contender. She could barely look up when she auditioned, but was transformed into the best kind of glamorous diva, belting out big numbers in fabulous style.

Then there was the Cheryl factor. The Girls Aloud singer was the target for much of the fury over the way things played out this year, right from the judges houses stage, and something tells me her acts didn’t have a chance of ever lifting the crown even though Rebecca’s natural talent and charm saw her make it almost all the way.

The thought of a smug Miss Cole mentoring the winner for a third year, after she guided Joe McElderry and Alexander Burke to victory, was simply too much for people.

This year Dannii Minogue has appeared to be the only one willing to stick her neck out and tell the truth – yet somehow stay above the back-biting, strops and indiscretions. Trumping Cheryl in the style wars week after week in a contented, confident fashion has also seen her emerge as the most popular judge – not that it’s difficult considering the competition. But it will have certainly cemented support for Matt, with fans happy to feel their vote was making a point for all the right reasons. He is a talented winner and his victory is a slap in the face for both Cheryl and Simon, whose acts missed out in last night’s show. Maybe X-Factor did end on a high note after all.

And looking certain for a fitting finale is Strictly Come Dancing with Kara Tointon, Matt Baker and Pamela Stephenson through to next week’s showcase.

All three lifted their game during a packed weekend of action from Strictly, with dancing on Friday and Saturday night. In a double elimination Gavin Henson and Scott Maslen left last night, and while it was a close-call between Matt and Scott as to who should go through, it was a fair result.

With X-Factor over for now, although questions remain over its future, let’s hope Strictly really pulls out all the stops next weekend to finish with a flourish.

It has been a close call this year in the battle for weekend ratings but in terms of standing tall above the chaos of controversy Strictly deserves this moment in the spotlight.