X Factor's Matt Cardle is glad to be off the telly

X Factor winner Matt Cardle says he is glad to get off the telly, so he can get back to real life and make music.

The 27-year-old performed a free gig at a shopping centre in London recently and said: "I'm kind of chuffed to get off the telly in a way and just to get into real life and into real music and start doing what I really want to do.

"I've been trying for so long to do it, I know exactly what I'm doing, musically, I just needed this opportunity."

The singer, who was mentored by Dannii Minogue in the talent show, has since been signed by Simon Cowell's label, but hopes he can have artistic license when it comes to his music.

"I think Simon's actually going to let me have a hand in writing the album. He's up for it from what I've heard, but that's not a definite", he said.

Meanwhile it's been reported that fellow finalists Rebecca Fergusson, Cher Lloyd and One Direction have also been signed by Cowell.