X marks the spot for former X Factor winner Matt (From Watford Observer)

Chart topper Matt Cardle makes his mark at Rickmansworth tattooist

5:36pm Tuesday 16th October 2012 in News By Ben Endley, Senior reporter

Matt Cardle with tattooist Adie Kitachi

Former X Factor winner Matt Cardle made his mark on a Rickmansworth tattooist when he went under the needle during a visit last weekend.

The former painter and decorator, 29, spent two hours in Renaissance Tattoo Studio having a quote tattooed onto his right forearm on Saturday (October 13).

Matt shot to fame after wowing judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole on the show in 2010, securing that year’s Christmas number one with When We Collide.

Adie Kitachi, owner of Renaissance Tattoo Studio, admitted he initially didn’t recognise the singer – who beat Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction to the £1 million recording contract in the seventh series of the hit ITV show – but said they soon hit it off.

He said: "I didn’t recognise him straight away as I don’t watch X Factor but I chat to all my customers and he told me what he did.

"He was a very, very nice fellow and he said he had heard about us and come from London to get it done here.

"He is into his skateboarding and snowboarding and is also a big heavy metal fan so we chatted about that."

Matt was reportedly dropped from his joint contract with Syco Music and Columbia earlier this year but is understood to be preparing to release a new album later this month.

Matt is not the tattoo studio’s only celebrity client with rock musicians and footballers also seeking out Adie’s services.