THIS time last year a little-known singer called Matt Cardle was picking up his first music award.

The Seven Summers frontman received a mid Essex music magazine’s Best Band accolade.

Fast forward 12 months and the former painter and decorator has won the X Factor, recorded a Christmas number one and is in the running to win a Brit Award for best single.

Matt, 27, from Little Maple-stead, said: “That is a bit of a turnaround. The magazine award was the biggest thing to date.

“My girlfriend of the time sent a video into the X Factor and they invited me to come down.

“I couldn’t leave the band, so I went to see what Cheryl Cole looked liked. She was as gorgeous as she looks on TV and more.”

Matt didn’t leave Seven Summers, but he did enter the show...and won.

He summed up the rollercoaster ride in one sentence: “One thing led to another, then I won.”

Matt is still officially a member of Seven Summers. He is not ruling out the possibility of hooking up with the band, but says there has been nothing official yet.

Seven Summers, drummer Alex Baker, bassist Jon Holland and guitarist Neillo, have not performed since Matt started his X Factor adventure, and they have not recruited a new singer.

Matt has been working with writers in Brighton on material for his debut album and is preparing for the X Factor tour, which will see him take part in 46 shows in just 51 days.

Interest is still high in the singer.

When fellow X Factor competitors One Direction leaked his mobile number on Twitter, Matt said his phone was ringing all day and he received 300 text messages.

But Matt still relishes returning to a hero’s welcome in Halstead.

He said: “There’s a positive reaction. People want to see me which is lovely.

“I’ve had such great support from home and it’s nice to pop in and say hello.”