It’s official, Rage Against The Machine, have claimed the Christmas number 1 for 2009, forcing the winner of X Factor to take number 2.

Rage Against The Machine have received huge amounts of support, following the Facebook campaign was started a few weeks ago.

Early sales figures suggest that Rage Against The Machine sold a massive  502,672 copies, as opposed to Joe McElderry who managed 450,838.

This Christmas number 1, means that Rage Against The Machine have made history and has become the first download only Christmas number 1.

Well done RATM and everyone involved – it’s been probably biggest Christmas number 1 for a while!

Speaking on the Radio 1 chart show, Zack de la Rocha from RATM said: “We are very, very ecstatic about being number one.”

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot said: “Congratulations to Rage Against The Machine on their number one – as we have seen in recent years, overhauling any X Factor winner in the race for the Christmas number one is no mean achievement.”

Simon Cowell has even congratulated the campaigners efforts and even called the organisers personally recently.  He said: “I am gutted for Joe because a number one single meant a lot to him but I have to congratulate Jon and Tracy, who started the Facebook campaign.

“I called Jon on Saturday to congratulate the two of them that, win or lose, they turned this into a very exciting race for the Christmas number one.

“I am proud of Joe – he worked really hard this week, but he has a great year ahead of him.”

Rage Against The Machine have also raised a staggering £70,000 already for homeless charity, Shelter, with more pouring in through their Just Giving fundraising page.