Matt Cardle

Matt Cardle

Age:27
From:Little Maplestead, Essex
Job: Painter & Decorator
Audition Song: You know I'm no good - Amy Winehouse
Bootcamp Song: The first time I ever saw your face - Roberta Flack
Song sang at Judges house: If I were a boy - Beyonce Knowles
Odds to win X Factor:

Bet on Matt Cardle to win X Factor

27 year old painter and decorator Matt Cardle wowed the judges at the audition and boot camp stages with his vocal athleticism.  Singing 'The First Time' made famous by Roberta Flack, his emotional range and vocal range, which included a pure falsetto voice, shot him to the top of the betting markets in hours.

Whilst having an extremely likeable 'boy next door' personality, he may struggle with the predominantly female audiences, who may be captivated by the eye candy of boy group, 1 Direction.  However, his voice is certainly so distinct and recordable that he could maintain his position as favourite with the bookies at the beginning of the live shows, in the same way that Will Young did in the original Pop Idol programme, if Dannii is clever in her choice of songs.

It would be surprising if Matt stumbles in the early stages of the live finals and there is every chance he will be there at the end, but having reached such heights so early on, improving and moving the audience week on week may be a challenge too far.

Other X Factor Contestants

Cher Lloyd | Rebecca Ferguson | One Direction | Aiden Grimshaw | John Adeleye | Belle Amie | Nicolo Festa | Storm Lee | Katie Wassel | FYD | Mary Byrne