AMERICAN IDOL - SHOCK RESULT SEES KRIS ALLEN NAMED AMERICAN IDOL

SHOCK RESULT SEES KRIS ALLEN NAMED AMERICAN IDOL

Kris Allen was named the winner of the American Idol series last night.

The surprise result saw Allen beat favourite Adam Lambert on Wednesday night after a public vote.

The show's judges Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson, Paula Abdul and Kara DioGuardi had all backed Lambert to win the eighth season of the talent show.

Speaking after the result, Allen told reporters of his shock at winning the show.

"I felt shocked almost every week that I made it. To be the American Idol, I'm completely shocked," the 23-year-old said.

After a final, which spread across two nights, the show's host Ryan Seacrest announced there had been a record number of votes cast, totalling almost 100 million.

After hearing the final result, Allen told host Seacrest: "It feels good, but Adam deserves this. I don't even know what to feel right now. This is crazy."

Previous winners of the reality show include Kelly Clarkson and Jordin Sparks.