[Kazanne]

It's looking good for Matt.
The painter and decorator, 27, has emerged to become the hot favourite with odds of 3/1 by William Hill.


Cher - the former favourite to win - has dropped to second place at 9/2 while Gamu Nhengu is third at 5/1.

It heats up the battle between judges Cheryl and Dannii, who were told last night that they would be mentoring the girls and boys respectively, while Simon Cowell will have the groups and Louis Walsh is tasked with looking after the over-28s category.


'Matt is not just a great singer but there is a good story behind him too,' said William Hill's spokesman Rupert Adams.


'We are convinced that the public will love him.'

Check out all the X Factor finalists in our picture galleries of the boys, girls, groups and over-28s.


Matt got the thumbs-up from judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole and Louis Walsh after singing a version of Amy Winehouse’s You Know That I’m No Good.


Cher Lloyd was the early favourite to win after impressing Cheryl
.

If Matt triumphs that would mean mentor and judge Dannii Minogue would finally end Cheryl Cole's two-year winning streak.


'We are fiercely competitive and I'm sure sparks will be flying again this year,' Dannii said.


'It would completely devastating if anyone won it three years in a row, wouldn't it?... If Cheryl gets close to it by the end of the year, we're going to have to band together for sure.'


Wagner Fiuza-Carrilho, Justin Vanderhydem, Twen, Princes and Rougues are all joint outsiders at 150/1.

X FACTOR TOP ACTS

3/1 Matt Cardle
9/2 Cher Lloyd
5/1 Gamu Nhengu
5/1 Rebecca Ferguson
6/1 1 Direction
7/1 Aidan Grimshaw
12/1 Katie Waissel
16/1 John Adeleye
16/1 Belle Amie
16/1 John Adeleye
16/1 Belle Amie
16/1 Nicolo Festa

It's early days yet,but I am rooting for Matt at the moment,followed by Gamu.

[Niamh.]

YAY go Matt!! Just hope he doesn't peak too early like Daniel last year

[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by Niamhxo

YAY go Matt!! Just hope he doesn't peak too early like Daniel last year

Me too,Danyl was my fave last year too,lets hope the press and certain judges don't smear him like they did Danyl!!

[GiRTh]

Why is Belle Amie listed twice? Where Paige? HE should be one of the faves.

[Niamh.]

Originally Posted by kazanne

Me too,Danyl was my fave last year too,lets hope the press and certain judges don't smear him like they did Danyl!!

I liked Olly last year but I felt bad for Danyl, he got a raw deal press wise alright

[Jords]

Matt is 1 of my favourites so glad to hear this! Early days yet mind.

[red]

he deserves it! I think this is the first time im rooting for the bookies favorite, i always back the underdog

[Raph]

I only watched a minor part of the show, but Matt to win!

[MeMyselfAndI]

Gamu would be first if the spoilers weren't out. Fact