Matt Cardle is an English singer-songwriter and guitarist from Southampton, born in 1983. He wins the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010 and goes on to sign a £1 million recording contract with Syco Music.

Early life

Cardle is born to David and Jennifer Cardle. As a toddler, he is diagnosed with Wilms’ tumour, a form of cancer, and recovers after one kidney is removed when he is two. Before his music career takes off, he works as a painter and decorator and lives in Little Maplestead, Essex.

Before The X Factor

Before auditioning for The X Factor, he fronts the band Seven Summers as lead vocalist and acoustic guitarist, and also plays in Darwyn. Seven Summers releases a self-titled rock album, Seven Summers, and performs on Sue Merchant’s BBC radio programme in 2009. Darwyn releases the albums When You Wake and Little Sunlight between 2005 and 2009, and also appears on Sue Marchant’s BBC radio programme. He also occasionally plays acoustic gigs with former Darwyn bandmate Ali McMillan.

The X Factor and breakthrough

Cardle auditions with “You Know I’m No Good” and is placed in Dannii Minogue’s Boys category after bootcamp. He remains in Minogue’s group throughout the series, and develops a close friendship with fellow contestant Aiden Grimshaw. In the live shows, he finishes second in the first public vote and then places first from week two through to the final. His performances include songs by David Guetta and Kelly Rowland, Bruno Mars, Britney Spears, Leona Lewis, Roberta Flack, Elton John, The Beatles, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, The Moody Blues, Florence + The Machine, Billy Joel, Dido, Rihanna, and Katy Perry.

He wins the final after performing “Here With Me”, “Unfaithful” as a duet, “Firework” and “When Collide”.

Recording career

His debut single, “When We Collide”, is released immediately after his victory and sells 439,000 copies in its first week, becoming the UK Christmas number one. He is associated with Syco Music, Columbia Records and Sony Music Entertainment UK.

Later collaborations and related acts

Cardle is linked with The X Factor Finalists 2010 and Seven Summers. He also has a continuing association with Aiden Grimshaw among The X Factor cast and remains active as a solo performer and acoustic guitarist.