EAST Anglia’s X-Factor hopeful Matt Cardle sailed through to the next round of the television talent contest last night.

The 27-year-old from Little Maplestead, near Halstead, wowed judges and the television audience with his performance of Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars.

Judge Louis Walsh was so impressed with the Saturday night performance he said that if he released the song it would be an “instant hit”.

His mentor Dannii Minogue said: “That was one of the hardest songs on the stage tonight and you absolutely nailed it. That was amazing.”

Simon Cowell said that he faltered two or three times, but added: “It was a genius version of the song.”

The former pupil of Stoke College, in Stoke by Clare, is one of the favourites to win the whole contest but he faces tough competition.

Irish checkout worker Mary Byrne has seen her odds slashed by bookies after a strong performance of Dusty Springfield’s You Don’t Have to Say You Love Me.

In tonight’s live results show, Storm Lee and Diva Fever were both eliminated from the competition. The third live show will be shown on ITV1 next Saturday night.

- If you would like to download wallpaper of Matt Cardle for your mobile phone, visit m.eadt24.co.uk