X Factor winner Matt Cardle to release new album with Sony five years after he was dropped by Simon Cowell
THE incredible chart comeback by JAMES ARTHUR proves artists do get another chance with SIMON COWELL.
And fellow former X Factor winner MATT CARDLE is hoping to replicate James’s success by signing to Sony, five years after he was dropped by the music mogul’s label Syco and Columbia Records, which is part of the Sony family.
I can reveal the Essex singer is releasing a new album which he believes will finally show his full potential, after also beating demons in his personal life.
Matt told me: “Signing this new deal with Sony is one of the proudest moments of my life.
“After the highs of X Factor I sank to the darkest places I’ve ever been.
“But after overcoming addiction I finally found myself in a place where I was ready and able to create the album I have always wanted to. I then spent three years pouring blood, sweat and tears plus all my darkness and my hope into this album.
“I have come home to Sony but I’m in control this time.”
Matt beat third-placed ONE DIRECTION in the 2010 series, which also featured runner-up REBECCA FERGUSON, CHER LLOYD, and, er, WAGNER.
But after debut album Letters, he parted company with Sony claiming his management were too busy with 1D.
After a spell in rehab battling an addiction to prescription drugs, he reinvented himself on the stage and won the Best West End Debut award for his role beside BEVERLEY KNIGHT in Memphis in 2015.
But he’s always been keen to have another crack at the charts.
I’m so delighted he’s getting another shot.
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Allison and Kate Wins-lips
A FANCY trophy wasn’t enough for KATE WINSLET to celebrate victory at the Hollywood Film Awards.
She won the actress gong for her role in WOODY ALLEN’s Wonder Wheel and marked the moment with a shock kiss with another actress - echoing BRITNEY SPEARS’s smooch with MADONNA at the MTV VMAs in 2003.
Accepting the prize at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in LA, Kate said: “ALLISON JANNEY is in this room. I know I don’t really know you, but I just want to be you, I do. Or just stroke you or something. I mean, we could always kiss, maybe?”
Jumping up from her seat, Allison ran on stage for a peck before herself winning the Supporting Actress Award for her role in I, Tonya.
If that’s what it was like on stage, who knows what happened at the after-party.
Caroline jets to pilot
SHE has seen plenty of romances and rows as host of Love Island.
But CAROLINE FLACK may be about to appear in a drama of her own - starring in a US telly show.
She is touring the UK in the musical Crazy For You until the end of this year but then wants to try her luck Stateside.
A source close to her said: “She will be heading to LA on holiday and wants to look at opportunities while she’s there.
“Caroline has had such a great time in Crazy for You and is keen to explore other acting roles. Brits like JAMEELA JAMIL and KELLY BROOK have landed roles in US shows in the past few years so she wants to see if it would be for her.
“January is pilot season for TV shows in the States so Caroline will be having meetings.”
She has become a familiar face on British TV with stints hosting The X Factor, The Xtra Factor and I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! - plus appearing on Strictly Come Dancing.
As long as she’s still around for Love Island, I wish Caroline every success.
Sam slams back to No1
AFTER getting an early listen of SAM SMITH’s second album, I knew it was going to be a success.
And he has followed up his debut In The Lonely Hour by going straight to No1 in the mid-week charts with The Thrill Of It All.
The beautiful collection has sold more than 60,000 copies since it was released on Friday, a lead of 40,000 over his nearest rival ROY ORBISON. The Big O is new at No2 with A Love So Beautiful, which pairs his classic vocals with THE ROYAL PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA.
Last week’s No1, MICHAEL BALL and ALFIE BOE’s Together Again, slips to No3, while GEORGE MICHAEL and P!NK stay at No4 and No5 respectively.
Sam’s debut shifted 102,000 copies in its first week in 2014 and spent a total of eight weeks at the top. He deserves to do even better this time.
Erykah's mad do
MILEY CYRUS and NICKI MINAJ had set the standard with their weird and wonderful hosting outfits.
But singer-songwriter ERYKAH BADU took outrageous costume changes to the next level while fronting the Soul Train Awards in Las Vegas.
She wore this puffy white dress with a gigantic hat, topped off with what looked like a cage, to walk the red carpet at the Orleans Arena.
And there were even more eye-popping designs once Sunday’s event got going - as she slipped into a purple tracksuit and more incredible headwear.
That will have been enough to liven up the proceedings.
Stones set to play UK next year
THE ROLLING STONES didn’t give their British fans much Satisfaction after leaving the UK off their recent No Filter European tour.
But I can reveal the legendary rockers are going to more than make up for it.
MICK JAGGER is meeting promoters to secure dates in 2018 which are likely to feature stadium shows here.
Speaking exclusively, Mick said: “We were disappointed not to perform in the UK on our recent jaunt and we’re looking forward to getting plans in place to do so next year.”
The Stones’ last notable gigs in the UK were in 2013, when they played two Hyde Park shows and headlined Glastonbury.
Mick’s reps also scotched “misleading reports” he was seeing latest love interest NOOR ALFALLAH two years ago, around the time MELANIE HAMRICK was pregnant with their son Deveraux.
Last week it was reported Mick and Melanie remain close and recently spent time together.
He’ll clearly be spending lots of time in the UK next year too.
— LIAM PAYNE released his video to new single Bedroom Floor yesterday and it got off to a flying start. The promo, featuring US actress BELLA THORNE, was watched more than 360,000 times in its first two hours online.
— U2 will play a one-off free concert this Saturday in London’s Trafalgar Square to celebrate winning the Global Icon Award at the MTV EMAs. Fans can apply for some of the 7,000 tickets in a ballot on MTV’s website until 10pm tonight.
— AFTER more than a decade on telly, explorer BEAR GRYLLS is launching a £20 million attraction where fans can tackle challenges such as zip-lining. The Bear Grylls Adventure opens at the NEC in Birmingham next year.
— MARILYN MANSON has returned to the stage five weeks after breaking his leg. He had to axe tour dates after a prop fell on him during a gig in New York. He made his comeback at Ozzfest Meets Knotfest in California on Sunday.
Dan Wootton's Bizarre jukebox
THERE are loads of new tunes out this week and I bring you the best of them.
My Bizarre Jukebox Spotify playlist is updated every Tuesday with 15 tracks from my favourite artists and new talent. Here are four on this week’s list . . .
- Dirty Sexy Money: DAVID GUETTA has no shortage of guests on his new dancefloor-filler. CHARLI XCX sings while AFROJACK and FRENCH MONTANA also appear on the song, his first since his JUSTIN BIEBER collaboration 2U in June.
- Who’s Gonna Be Your Girl: After hitting No1 with her new album Now, SHANIA TWAIN is releasing her third single from the collection. Fans can catch her performing the evocative track when she returns to the UK for an arena tour next September.
- Decline: RAYE has harked back to the Noughties on her latest release, reworking JA RULE and ASHANTI’s 2002 R&B smash Always On Time. The no-nonsense song about getting over an ex also features afrobeat star MR EAZI.
- Santa’s Coming For Us: Halloween is over and SIA is well and truly bringing the festive spirit with this single, which features on her seasonal album Everyday Is Christmas. I’ve heard the whole thing and it’s absolutely epic.
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