For many, the iPhone has been as elusive as a week on X-Factor without Louis Walsh saying “you’ve got the looks, you’ve got the voice, your a class act.” In the UK the iPhone has always been tied exclusively to the O2 network however, Orange announced last month that they would be selling the iPhone before Christmas. Today, a confirmed date hit the Internet.

Having announced it’s plans to make available the iPhone to UK consumers in time for Christmas, Orange is set to deliver on that promise. Only one day after O2′s exclusivity deal expires, Orange will swoop in to save all those anxious yet network-dedicated iPhone lovers. If you find yourself in the above category you may wish to mark you calender for the 10 November.

Already, more than 200,000 people have pre-registered to buy the new iPhone from Orange giving a further indication of the handset’s incredible popularity.

November 10 may be a bitter-sweet day for Vodafone as, having announced it’s intent to sell the iPhone in the UK only a day after Orange did so, sources would suggest that Vodafone will not be able to match Orange’s launch windows. Instead, they will be forced to sit by and watch whilst Orange get the first invite to what was an O2 only party. Launching the handset untimely for the Christmas shopping period will certainly bode well for Orange whilst Vodafone appear to be fixed on a new-year launch.