James Arthur’s life really has taken off from a rumoured new romance to his first number one single.

So it was already at number one in the iTunes chart but Impossible has now topped the charts and become the fastest-selling single in the UK this year, beating former judge Cheryl Cole’s Call My Name.

If that wasn’t enough the song, which was originally sung by Shontelle, is the fastest-selling winner’s song dispelling any concerns that this year’s falling ratings would affect the success of the act that won.

Speaking about the achievement James told OfficialCharts.com: “To everyone from home and around Britain who bought the single, thank you very, very much. You’ve made my dreams come true.

“The fact that it was in aid of Together For Short Lives, which is a great cause and a great charity, I think that really helped. My Number 1 Award is going to go on my mantelpiece and I’ll probably kiss it for two weeks solid every time I pass it!”

As to whether it will hold on to become Christmas number one next Sunday, it’s anyone’s guess. It does have strong competition in the form of the Hillsborough single, a cover version of He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother, which aims to support the families of those Liverpool supporters killed in the 1989 disaster.