O Holy Night has been named the nation's favourite Christmas carol for the fifth consecutive year.

It received a flurry of votes in the Classic FM poll after being sung by Rhydian Roberts in the X Factor final.

Second place went to Silent Night followed by Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.

O Holy Night was written in 1847 by French wine merchant Placide Clappeau to music by Adolphe-Charles Adam - composer of the ballet Giselle.

It received its first performance at midnight mass on Christmas Eve 1847 in Roquemaure in France, just days after it had been completed.

The carol was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight in the late 19th century.

Since then, it has been performed at Christmas services all over the world.

Its most famous moment came on Christmas Eve 1906, when the carol is said to have been the first piece of music broadcast on radio.

Classic FM managing director Darren Henley said: "O Holy Night has a special place in the nation's heart and sums up the true meaning of Christmas."