He may have shot to national fame winning the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010 but his story starts on the South Coast.
Known for his stunning four-octave vocal range, Cardle carved his place in British pop fame when his debut single, When We Collide, topped the charts in spectacular fashion.
Matt Cardle in & Juliet. (Image: Echo)
But while steady progress has taken him from independent artist through to multi-platinum selling solo artist and stage actor, it is his connection with his birth-city that has kept pulling it all back to where it started.
Born in Southampton on April 15, 1983, he moved away as a child but the city marks the original starting point for a journey that led to millions of records sales and hit albums, including Letters.
In addition to his music, his strong ties to Southampton are demonstrated through his charity work in the area.
In January 2014, Cardle returned to the city to support the launch of Sport Relief. He visited local youth charity No Limits to see how funding was changing lives in the area, meeting young people who had gone from being homeless to finding full-time work.
On his visit, he expressed his delight at seeing such vital opportunities being provided in his birth place and commented on how he was “so proud” to know that they were taking place in Southampton, showing that his fame has not taken him too far from home.
Additionally, having transitioned to a successful musical theatre career – which has included an award-winning West End debut in Memphis – Cardle recently returned those talents to home turf.
Matt Cardle at No Limits. Southampton in January 2012. (Image: Echo)
At the end of 2024, he gave a commanding performance as William Shakespeare in hit touring musical & Juliet at Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre, allowing local fans to witness the evolution of his artistry in-person.
Be it topping the UK charts, supporting local causes or delivering powerhouse performances at Mayflower Theatre, Cardle’s legacy is still closely tied to Southampton.