One hundred million Americans voted Kriss Allen their American Idol 2009, beating favourite Adam Lambert in its most successful season to date.

The American Idol juggernaut defied recession and beat off the naysayers to stay America's No.1 show for the eighth year in a row.

The Finale (inexplicably not being shown in the UK until Friday) was its usual star-studded self, with performances from Rod Stewart, Kiss, Keith Urban and Queen. Victoria Beckham and Nicole Richie sat among the audience.

After 620 million votes, 19 weeks and 100,000 auditions the nice, sweet, married all-American came out of nowhere to beat the eyelined rocker favourite by singing 'Kiss a Girl' with Keith Urban, whilst Adam blasted through his Kiss collaboration.

Highlight for most though will be judge Kara DioGuardi hijacking a Bikini Girl 'performance' by stripping down to a bikini as an inside between judges. Thank god you don't get that on Britain's Got Talent - no-one wants to see Piers Morgan's baggy arse.

Us poor Brits will have to wait until ITV2 get off their lazy arses and put it out tomorrow night.