Local boy and X Factor favourite, Matt Cardle, is the person everyone across Chelmsford and Essex will be talking about at work today, following his performance on Saturday evening that judge Simon Cowell described as 'absolutely stunning'.
With banners, flags and posters showing support for Matt popping up in locations across Chelmsford and Essex, 'Matt Mania' reached fever pitch on Saturday evening as thousands of people from across the Essex region jammed the ITV phone lines with votes for him.
Colchester night club, Escape has decked out the front of the club with 20ft long banners showing support for Matt and the St Helena Hospice shop on Halstead High Street has created a shrine to the X-Factor hopeful in their shop window.
The 27 year old former painter and decorator from Little Maplestead in Essex, wowed judges and the X Factor audience on Saturday with a breathtaking rendition of Roberta Flack's 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' which garnered a standing ovation from judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Danni Minogue and Louis Walsh, as well as the studio audience.
Now firmly established as one of the favourites to win the X Factor overall, Matt will go on to perform again this weekend, alongside the other final 8 contestants.
