Rak-Su crowned the winners of X Factor 2017 after intense showdown with Grace Davies

Rak-Su has been crowned the winner of X Factor 2017 – beating Grace Davies to the punch in an epic battle of completely original material.

Both Rak-Su and Grace decided to put their best foot forward for the final showdown, after beating out Kevin Davy White in the first part of the final on Saturday night.

However, after performing two of their own songs, Rak-Su were declared the winner of the series.

The Watford-based four-piece – comprised of Myles, Ashley, Jamaal and Mustafa – were left jumping for joy as they were announced in the top spot.

They are the first band to take the win since Little Mix in 2011, and only the second band to win the show overall in its fourteen series run.

As part of their win, they will release their own original song, Dimelo, which they performed as a duet on Saturday night with Wyclef Jean and Naughty Boy.

Performing the song for the second time after they were announced the winners, they were joined by their former finalists, who ran on stage to hug the group for making it through to the end.

This is the first time a champion has released their winner’s single as a duet.

All proceeds from the song will be donated to children’s charities, Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase.

Across the two-hour long finale, the two finalists were sandwiched between performances by megastars including Little Mix and Pink.

Kicking off the show, Little Mix, who won the show back in 2011, performed Power and Reggaeton Lento with Spanish group, CNCO.

Donning power suits, the girls – who are also the only group to win the show ever- mounted the judges panel for their high energy performance, and kicked the show off with a bang.

Following the performance, Simon Cowell  told them: “That’s what I call a masterclass – Little Mix I feel so proud right now.

“You’ve become the biggest girl band in the world and you’ve done it your way. Congratulations. Incredible, incredible job.”

When quizzed by Dermot about who they wanted to win, Jesy revealed that she was backing Watford foursome, Rak-Su.

She added: “I think it’s time for another band to win.”

Blackburn singer Grace was the first up for the evening, and performed upbeat original song Nothing But Words.

Following her song – which dictates letting words not bothering you and rising above – the star-in-the-making got the seal of approval from all four judges.

Simon admitted that he hadn’t got to know the 20-year-old during her journey on the show, but said that her “determination” hadn’t gone unnoticed.

He added: “I loved this song tonight, you’re scaring me now.”

Sharon, who has mentored Grace throughout the process, told her: “I just loved that song, the lyrics – everyone can relate to those lyrics, every woman.”

She then beamed as she added: “You’ve worked so hard for so long and you’re here. I am so happy for you right now.”

Rak-Su then upped their game with their new song, Touché, complete with choreography.

It was received amazingly by the crowd at the Excel Arena, and left the judges struggling to talk over the cheering crowds.

Simon – who made a rare standing ovation for the band – proudly told them: “Not many artists with this much at stake rather than just doing something before, or doing an old song, you stuck to yourselves.

“You wrote your own song, and not many people do that.”

Nicole also seemed to appear to think that the foursome were the winners of the show, and told them: “It couldn’t happen to a better group of boys – just enjoy it. Congratulations.”

American singer Pink was next to perform, showing the hopefuls how it's done with a performance of tracks Beautiful Trauma and What About Us.

When Dermot asked her to give some advice to the final two acts, she joked: "Never take other people's advice."

Grace ended her X Factor run with a performance of song Too Young- and was reduced to tears when she was shown a series of videos from home wishing her well.

Louis Walsh told her: "You're like an established artist every time I see you.

"You're all about the music and I love that you bare yourself in your lyrics. I think you're potentially a worldwide selling artist."

"I think you and Rak-Su have changed these shows, maybe forever," Simon told her. "You've got a shot here kid."

Mrs O finished off the critiques and told her: "You're such an accomplished artist already at twenty."

"I am so proud to have mentored you," she added.

Rak-Su ended up in floods of tears as well as their mums proudly declared that they were making their own band in their honour.

As the group were given messages of love and support from home, Jamaal and Ashley were seen hugging each other as they struggled to contain their emotions.

Finishing the show with their song Mona Lisa - which they created for Love week during the live shows.

After Sam Smith closed out the evening with his own performance, the final countdown occurred - and Rak-Su were declared the reigning champs.

Following the finale this weekend, all the X Factor semi-finalists will be heading out on tour from February next year - with a Sun Online voted wildcard joining them.

Rak-Su, Grace Davies, Kevin Davy White, Lloyd Macey, The Cutkelvins and Matt Linnen will be serenading the UK in stadiums - but who do you want to see join them?

• TO VOTE FOR WHO YOU WANT TO SEE ON THE TOUR, CLICK HERE.