The X Factor winner James Arthur released a cover version of the song after winning the ninth series of the talent competition in December 2012.

It was released shortly after his win and reached number one in the UK and Ireland, as well as charting in the top ten in 20 other countries.

[1] The international symphonic metal band Exit Eden released their cover version of the song in 2017 for their album Rhapsodies in Black via Starwatch Entertainment and Napalm Records.

He said "Shontelle shines on 'Impossible', giving one of the year's standout female vocal performances and recalling the poignancy and technical precision of Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable".

"[7] Ryan Love of Digital Spy gave the song five out of five stars, writing: "Arnthor Birgisson's StarGate-style production is appealingly restrained, Ina Wroldsen's lyrics are blunt and utterly relatable, and Shontelle gives her strongest vocal performance yet without ever overdoing it.

"[8] Financial website MarketWatch branded the song a "passionate ballad" and Shontelle's vocals "soulful".

[10] Carmen Castro of The Canadian Press said "Shontelle hits the right notes on "Impossible", the album's only standout track.

It's easily a contender for breakup song of 2010 and Shontelle sings with such passion that you can't help but hold back the tears.

This smooth soul sound provides a valuable counterpart to the dominant uptempo dance music on current pop radio.

[15] On 27 August 2010, "Impossible" was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for selling one million copies.

[15] It was certified gold by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) in Denmark, for selling 15,000 copies.

[27] It premiered on 14 April 2010 and according to 92.3 Now FM's Ed Easton, the video is "a great visualization of her struggles, professionally and personally.

James Arthur, the winner of the ninth series of The X Factor, released a cover version of "Impossible" digitally on 9 December 2012, immediately after winning the show.

[72] Robert Copsey of Digital Spy gave the song a positive review stating, "of course, making such a decision based on his victory single – a cover of Shontelle's 2010 hit 'Impossible' – is a futile exercise.

The track, which was once sidelined for former finalist Cher Lloyd, has been drained of its R&B sassiness and re-worked into a swooping ballad, saved only by Arthur's quivering and gutsy vocal.

[73] The song was nominated for "British Single of the Year" at the 2013 BRIT Awards, but lost out to "Skyfall" by Adele.

In the United Kingdom, "Impossible" sold over 187,000 downloads during its first 24 hours on sale; making Arthur the fastest-selling winner in X Factor history.

The track also became a huge success worldwide, topping the charts in the Czech Republic, Greece, Luxembourg and Slovakia.