ANY Matt Linnen fans out there? Silly question of course, because the air is positively mushy with Linnen love since the Southend singer-songwriter has been working his way up the ranks of the TV mega-hit talent competition X Factor.

Well read on, because you may have a chance to see him up close and personal this weekend, thanks to musician Nathan Abbott (54 Plates) who has secured the hopeful star to play at his regular live acoustic music night.

Matt is no stranger to local audiences of course. He's been grafting around the local music scene with that guitar of his, treating us to his husky tones, smoky chords and a twinkling of those blue eyes for many years in one guise or another, including his band Linnen.

Now he's busy impressing judges on the telly (at the time of writing he'd just got through the Boot Camp round, which was televised from Wembley Arena in front of a 5,000 crowd) it's likely that his forthcoming intimate gig at a pub in Leigh is going to attract a whole extra wave of support... so the advice is to arrive early.

"I love what Matt does and feel proud of what he's doing on that show and flying the flag for the Southend scene", said Nathan.

Matt, 28, who works as a plasterer when he isn't performing, chose to sing If I Were A Boy by Beyonce at the Boot Camp stage of the audition aired last Saturday.

He said of the song choice: "I think I was trying to do something a bit different from the critique I had from the judges at my audition.

"I'd rather have negative feedback so I can improve. I've been chasing this dream for so long, I don't know how long I can carry on... this could be it, this could be my last chance.

"To get through would mean the world."

Well the feedback was far from negative, with judge Sharon Osbourne saying: "I think the public will like him and his personality".

Fellow judge Nicole Scherzinger agreed "they're going to love him."

Catch Matt Linnen at the Broadway Pub in Broadway, Leigh, this Sunday, October 8, from 6pm, until 9pm.

Support will come from singing-songwriting duo Bavard, aka brothers Ben and Toby Jordan, featuring Herbie Buckley-Robinson on percussion and drums.

Bavard have just released their debut EP Noir, featuring three self-written tracks. It's available in local record stores and all good digital platforms.