X FACTOR winner Matt Cardle is way out in front in the race for the Christmas number one, according to early sales figures.

The singer, from Little Maplestead, near Halstead, sold 112,000 copies of his single When We Collide during its first day on sale.

Figures from the Official Charts Company show his nearest challenger is Rihanna who has sold 41,000 copies of her single What’s My Name.

Cardle, a former painter and decorator, won the show on Sunday after seeing off competition from Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction.

His new single is a cover of Biffy Clyro’s Many of Horror.