Dramatic finale for American Idol

Rocker David Cook has beaten teen favourite David Archuleta by a landslide to win American Idol.

In a surprise result, Cook won by a margin of 12 million votes out of the 97.5 million cast by US viewers.

Simon Cowell, one of the show's judges, had told Cook that his song choices handed a victory to Archuleta.

But before the winner was announced, Cowell said the outcome "wasn't quite so clear-cut as we called it" and apologised to Cook.

The 25-year-old victor's three-song set included U2's I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For and The World I Know by Collective Soul.

But Cook, with his gravelly voice and scruffy style, came in for criticism during the series, particularly from Cowell.

Star-studded

Throughout the run, 17-year-old's Archuleta's fan following and warm praise from the judges was expected to turn him into the show's youngest winner to date.

The final was a star-studded affair, with Canadian rocker Bryan Adams performing with the top six male singers.

George Michael wrapped up the show, singing a medley of hits alongside all 12 American Idol finalists.

Cook said he is remaining realistic despite winning the show and a recording contract.

"I actually walked into this with no expectations and I'm walking out of it with no expectations. This show is a springboard," he said.

Fans of Archuleta said the Utah teenager "will be big no matter what", and admitted his unexpected defeat had "felt like a punch in the gut".

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