X Factor winner keeps his word to play wedding gig at Essex pub

The Colchester-born painter and decorator, who triumphed over Liverpudlian single mum Rebecca Ferguson, plans to honour an earlier commitment this weekend.

He has pledged to perform at pub manager Chris Heap's nuptials at The Bull pub, despite finding national fame.

"We're still doing that, and in fact, the booking is still standing," he told mentor Dannii Minogue.

Cardle, 27, used to wait tables and perform with his band – Ali McMillan and Richard Grace – at the Halstead drinking spot, months before he applied to the ITV1 talent contest.

And Cardle – who is gearing up for The X Factor tour, which kicks off in Birmingham on February 19 – said he had no plans to bump up his rates now that he is in demand.

"I always said before I went on The X Factor, with gigs we had booked up, 'Mate, if I'm still available, of course I will do it, and I won't charge any more'," he continued.

"I will do what I said I would do, because that is what I have been doing. I'm still me and I will still do the gigs."

Cardle has wowed viewers with his renditions of tracks such as Roberta Flack's First Time Ever I Saw Your Face and Bruno Mars' Just The Way You Are.

With a million-pound record deal, he also plans to pay off some debts, including a big bar tab.

"I will pay that off. I promise, I pinkie promise!" he added.