Matt Cardle has inked a deal with Sony - five years after being dropped by Syco Music.
Matt Cardle
The 34-year-old singer won the 7th series of 'The X Factor' in 2010 and went on to sign with show boss Simon Cowell's label Syco and Columbia Records, both divisions of Sony, before leaving in 2012.
After being dropped by the label, the 'When We Collide' hitmaker's prescription drug addiction got out of control, and he admits he was in the "darkest" place before entering rehab and dealing with his emotions by channelling them into his new music.
Now, Matt is back with his third record - the follow-up to 2013's 'Porcelain' - and is thrilled to back home at Sony.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper about his return, Matt said: "Signing this new deal with Sony is one of the proudest moments of my life.
"After the highs of 'X Factor' I sank to the darkest places I've ever been.
"But after overcoming addiction I finally found myself in a place where I was ready and able to create the album I have always wanted to.
"I then spent three years pouring blood, sweat and tears plus all my darkness and my hope into this album.
"I have come home to Sony but I'm in control this time."
Matt previously said former Spice Girl Mel C saved his life after he battled with his addiction in 2013.
Speaking a year later, he said: "Lots of people picked me up from my lowest ... that includes my family and Mel. I know where I went wrong and I know I'll never go there again."
The British star was just weeks away from death and only realised he needed to seek help for his problems when he collapsed in the street, began stripping on a train and nearly choked on his vomit.
Speaking at the time, he said: "I was so out of it - I was like a zombie. "The doctor said to me if I'd been left to my own devices for another three or four weeks I might not be here now."
After four weeks in the rehab facility The Priory in 2014, Matt managed to curb his addiction and start focusing on his music career again.
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