By no means a conventional X Factor winner, Matt Cardle bucked the trend in that he was already a gigging songwriter/musician, and his guitar certainly wasn't a prop.

His talent show fans were out in full screaming force at St David's Hall, and whilst clearly touched by their enthusiasm and full of thanks for their support, I couldn't help feeling that their courtesy would have been better shown by actually stopping and listening to what this young man had to say.

For, make no mistake, he has talent.

Currently on tour to promote his largely self-penned debut album, he is a natural and affable performer.

Keen to explain the background to the writing of each track lends an endearing and personal touch to the set and his ballads sit equally well alongside the more upbeat, rock inspired numbers.

His voice holds quite a range, with an impressive falsetto, perfectly exploited in his cover of The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.

His own material demands attention though, and two stand-out numbers, Faithless and Beat of a Breaking Heart show insight and sensitivity.

Predictably his Christmas number one, When We Collide, raised the greatest cheer, but it's fair to say he looks far more comfortable away from over-production.

He has a long way to go, but if he stays confident of his direction I'm sure his journey will be fulfilling.