Walthamstow's Fleur East finished in second in the X Factor final last night.
Ten million people voted for their X Factor winner, with Croydon’s Ben Haenow taking the crown.
The contestants, who were both mentored by Simon Cowell in the over-25s group, sang in front of an audience of 10,000 at Wembley Arena.
Miss East, who worked at Topshop in Selborne Walk, Walthamstow, before the show, was the bookies' favourite to win.
Last week, she has a number one in the iTunes chart with her cover of Mark Ronson's Uptown Funk, which she sung again in the final.
Simon Cowell told the 27-year-old she had "transformed" into a great artist.
Both contestants sang the same winner's song, a cover version of One Republic's Something I Need.
Miss East, of Rosslyn Road, was educated at Holy Family Catholic School.
Talking about her immiediate plans, Miss East said she intends to return home for the festive season.
She said: "I will be in Walthamstow for Christmas - at home in my Christmas onesie with my family."
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