X Factor winner wows Orkney crowd

Reigning X Factor champ Matt Cardle didn’t disappoint at tonight’s gig in the Pickaquoy Centre as he kicked off the first of a handful of shows in Scotland — his first solo tour since being crowned winner of the ITV talent show.

The former painter and decorator, who wowed millions with his performances on the X Factor, played to a crowd of 1,200 — tickets had sold out within hours.

The atmosphere was electric as Matt sang tracks from his debut album Letters, due to be released in October.

The crowd was treated to a performance of new single Run For Your Life, which hits shops a week before the album.

The audience went wild as he put everything into the new song, sure to be a hit.

He included the favourites No 1 hit When We Collide, and other new songs, such as Starlight, Pull Me Under and All for Nothing.

He told the appreciative crowd: “You are all too kind!”

Support act Emily Bourn, a 14-year-old from Stronsay, must surely be Orkney’s own X Factor winner, as she delighted the audience with a show-stopping performance with her own material.