Rocker David Cook has unexpectedly won the title of "American Idol" beating rival David Archuleta.

Before winning the competition with 12 million votes, Cook was playing in a band as well as being a bar tender.

On hearing the news that he won, Cook stood back to applaud his rival and then bent over crying.

He said: "This is amazing. Thank you," who in addition to being crowned this year's "Idol" will receive a recording contract.

The US TV show has produced mega-stars from both winners and losers, including Kelly Clarkson, Carrie Underwood and Chris Daughtry.

The duelling Davids garnered a record 97.5 million votes between them, smashing the previous record by 23 million.

The contest was decided by a telephone and text-messaging vote in which Cook received 56 per cent to Archuleta's 44 per cent.

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