X FACTOR favourite Matt Cardle got the first standing ovation of this year's show with his emotional performance.

The Little Maplestead painter and decorator sang Roberta Flack's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, which he performed at audition.

Speaking on spin-off programme, the Xtra Factor, he described why the song meant so much to him.

Tearful Matt said: “My mum’s best mate was killed when I was 11 and she had four kids. My mum took on those kids and they have absolutely made our family bigger and better "The oldest one met his girlfriend under similar circumstances and they got married a couple of years ago.

“I sang as Kate came into the church and the whole day was just one of the most emotional days of my life.”

Cheryl Cole described his performance as "absolutely beautiful."

"That absolutely blew me away. That was amazing. I felt every single word that you said.

“It was spine-tingling, Matt," she said.