X Factor ‘Winner’ Matt Cardle is Dropped From Record Label

Matt Cardle, winner of the 2010 series of the X Factor, has parted ways with his record label Columbia. Cardle, who beat off competition from teen magazine fixtures One Direction to take the reality show’s crown, has left the label as his debut album ‘Letters’ has sold poorly, according to tabloid sources. Though his debut album missed out on going to Number One as it was released in the same week as Noel Gallagher’s debut solo record, the album still shifted over 250,000 copies. But, by the million selling standards of previous winners Leona Lewis and Alexandra Burke, this hasn’t been enough.

According to the People, a source at Columbia Records said of Cardle’s departure: “He is hoping to take his career in a different direction. Everyone wishes him well.”

There are also rumours that last year’s X Factor runner-up Marcus Collins could be dropped too. His debut single, a cover version of the White Stripes’ ‘Seven Nation Army’, only made it to Number Nine and sales of his self-titled debut album have been described as “disappointing.” A source told the Daily Star that Collins’ album sales had been “disappointing” and added,

“No-one expected him to flop but he’s one of the most unsuccessful runners-up in the show’s history. He has to pull it out of the bag with the second single. If that bombs, there’s unlikely to be a third.”