The former painter and decorator from Essex won X Factor 2010. Following the obligatory Christmas number one single - in the form of Biffy Clyro's Many Of Horror, renamed When We Collide - Matt released his debut album 'Letters' which went on to become a platinum-seller, adding him to a very elite group of male solo artists with a platinum-selling debut album. He has gone on to sell over 2 million singles and albums combined.?
A lot has been said over the past three years about the X Factor winner, with the four octave vocal range and undeniable likeability who didn?t quite ?fit the mould?. Be it his personal relationships, the affairs, his battle with cancer at a young age or the supposed feuds with Simon Cowell and his hit-making factory Sony Music.
The truth is, his philosophy regarding all the above is incredibly nonchalant and refreshing. Having started his journey in the public eye at the age of 27, with some life experience behind him, he is not a man naive to the ways of the world, and quickly grasped an understanding of how fickle and cut-throat the industry he has entered can be. It?s an attitude that enables him to keep following his own path and singing to his own tune.
In getting to know Matt Cardle, what?s exposed is an incredibly down to earth, jovial, easy-going, Alan Partridge quote-reciting character who is incredibly comfortable in his own skin. At his very core though there is an undeniable desire, bordering on obsession, to create music. He lives and breathes, music.
A prolific writer, his iTunes library consists of over 500 completed self-penned songs. He has had a state of the art studio installed in his home and it is here, where he has spent the last few years ?creating?.
As he approaches the release of his third album, ?Porcelain?, Cardle reflects on his journey so far;
?It?s no secret that I struggled as a musician for years. I started my first band when I was 12 years old and spent at least 15 years recording albums, sending demo?s to record companies and publishers but without any real breakthrough. It was tough. The X Factor gave me the biggest opportunity of my life. Without that, I wouldn?t be in the position I?m in now and I?ll be eternally grateful.?
When Cardle reflects further on recent history, it is hard for him to believe that almost three years have passed since he was crowned the winner of the 7th series of the X Factor in front of an audience surpassing a staggering 19 million viewers. It is still the shows most successful series to date and he famously won the public vote every week, with the exception of the first.