List of The X Factor finalists (UK series 7)

The seventh UK series of The X Factor was broadcast on ITV between 21 August and 12 December 2010. The final 12 were declared on 3 October 2010. Four wildcards were announced on the first live show of the finals on 9 October 2010, bringing the number of finalists up to 16.

The Boys category was mentored by Dannii Minogue. Contestants in this category are males aged 16 to 28. The eight candidates were Karl Brown, Matt Cardle, Nicolo Festa, Aiden Grimshaw, Marlon McKenzie, Tom Richards, Paije Richardson and John Wilding. Minogue chose:

Matt Cardle (born 15 April 1983) is a former painter and decorator from Little Maplestead, Essex. Born to parents David and Jennifer Cardle, he was diagnosed with Wilms' tumour, a form of cancer, when he was a toddler. He recovered after one of his kidneys was removed at age 2. Before applying to The X Factor, he was the frontman and acoustic guitar player of the band Seven Summers, alongside Alex Baker (drums), Jon Holland (bass), and Neillo (guitars). The band had alternative rock, pop, urban, and folk influences and released a debut album on 22 January 2010 with their debut single being "Picture of You".

Cardle auditioned for The X Factor with "You Know I'm No Good". He sang "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" at bootcamp and "If I Were a Boy" at judges' houses. In the first week, Cardle sang "When Love Takes Over". Show bosses asked him to perform a "secret gig" at the Five Bells pub, in Colne Engaine, providing footage for the Saturday ITV show. In week two, he sang "Just the Way You Are" and in week 3, "...Baby One More Time". After reaching the final two singers, it was revealed that his winning single would be a cover of Biffy Clyro's "Many of Horror", retitled as "When We Collide". He was announced overall winner of the competition during the final held on 12 December 2010. His debut album, Letters, was released in the UK on 17 October 2011.

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