Call centre in TV votes frenzy

A Shropshire telephone exchange centre was at the heart of one of television's biggest voting frenzies this weekend as it dealt with millions of calls from the viewing public.

Staff at Whittington House at Park Hall, near Oswestry, handled millions of calls from viewers all calling to cast votes for their favourites on The X Factor, Strictly Come Dancing and the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year.

Bosses said the whole weekend was hectic but was a success as staff worked around the clock to ensure the country's telephone system did not go into meltdown.

The exchange ensures the efficient running of phone lines and communications networks throughout the country and is used in many TV votes and telethons.

BT spokeswoman Emma Tennant said bosses were delighted with how staff coped.

She said: "Everything went extremely smoothly over the weekend according to staff at the centre.

"It was the first time these two large voting events had coincided, so this raised potential challenges for us, but everything ran extremely smoothly - with over half the votes for The X-Factor series cast over this weekend alone. We are now gearing up for the final of Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday."

All votes were counted and announced on schedule.

Millions of viewers watched last night to see 18-year-old South Shields student Joe McElderry crowned X Factor winner.

He is now odds on to win the Christmas number one with his debut single The Climb after beating rival Olly Murs in the hit ITV1 show with almost two thirds of the 10 million votes.

Manchester United winger Ryan Giggs was contemplating finding room for yet another addition to his trophy cabinet today after winning the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award last night.

Meanwhile, Breakfast Time sports presenter Chris Hollins and actor Ricky Whittle will compete in the Strictly Come Dancing final after actress Ali Bastian lost out in the public vote on Saturday.

By Iain St John