Matt Cardle Tickets

Born in Southampton in 1983, Matthew Cardle nearly didn't make it anywhere near the dizzy heights of pop stardom, after suffering from Wilms' tumour as a child, and having to have a kidney removed. Overcoming his health issues, he and his family moved several times before settling in Essex, where Cardle attended the Institute in Colchester, gigging with various bands while holding down jobs such as bricklayer, milkman, postman and painter & decorator. One of his bands, Darwyn, actually recorded an album in 2005, before a later incarnation, Seven Summers, recorded a self-titled LP in 2010, after appearing in a guest slot on a BBC radio show.

Cardle's big break, though, came in 2010 as a contestant on The X Factor, consistently winning the public vote and, eventually, the whole contest, in December. His winner's single, a cover of Biffy Clyro's “Many Of Horror”, became the 2010 UK Christmas No.1. An autobiography, “Matt Cardle: My Story”, was also released, to capitalise on the Christmas market. In March 2011, Cardle signed a joint deal with Simon Cowell's Syco Music, and Columbia Records, as well as Modest! Management. His debut non-X Factor single, “Run For Your Life”, written by new X Factor judge, Gary Barlow, was released in October 2011, reaching No.6 on the UK singles chart. A week later, his debut album, Letters, went in at No.2. His second release, “Starlight”, released in December 2011, was available only as a remix by Alias Club.

Cardle is expected to tour in 2012, as he works on a new album.