Matt Cardle Biography

Matt Cardle, 27, is a former painter and decorator from Little Maplestead, Essex. Before applying to The X Factor, he was the frontman and guitarist of the band Seven Summers alongside Alex Baker (drums), Jon Holland (bass) and Neillo (guitars) and released a debut alternative rock album. He auditioned for The X Factor with "You Know I'm No Good" from Amy Winehouse, sang "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" from Roberta Flack at bootcamp, "If I Were a Boy" from Beyoncé Knowles at judges' houses. Show bosses asked him to perform a "secret gig" at the Five Bells pub, in Colne Engaine providing footage for the Saturday ITV show.