Piers delighted by Cowell's Christmas No 1 setback

Piers Morgan has laughed off his pal Simon Cowell's defeat in the race to bag the coveted Christmas No 1 spot.

But Piers, who is a judge on Britain's Got Talent alongside Simon, tipped the X Factor judge and music mogul to come back next year with a chart-topper as he would be 'seething with rage' at Rage Against The Machine's victory.

The rap metal band triumphed over The X Factor winner Joe McElderry to take the number one spot, following a closely fought battle which saw Rage championed in a Facebook campaign.

Piers said: "I thought it was quite funny and the fact that Simon got wound up was even funnier.

"Anything that winds up Simon Cowell is good in my book. He appreciates it when someone outwits him - it doesn't happen very often."

Piers said the nation could celebrate, adding: "It will really annoy him.

"What I used to love when I was young was the Christmas No 1 being a good competition."

He said the public 'still love The X Factor', adding of Simon: "The master will be back."

Piers said the best bet in town would be for Simon to return next year with a Christmas No 1 'because he will do whatever it takes'.

He added: "He will be in Barbados now on his little jet-ski absolutely seething with rage."