First look at Matt Cardle performing 'Memphis Lives in Me' at West End Live

Theatregoers got their first taste of Matt Cardle as Huey Calhoun this weekend as he took to the stage in front of thousands at West End Live in Trafalgar Square.

Former X Factor winner Cardle will take over from Killian Donnelly – who is leaving to join Kinky Boots – in the award-winning Memphis the Musical from 6 July.

On his stage debut, he said: "I'm thrilled to be making my acting and West End debut in Memphis… From the first time I saw the show I felt I had a real connection with the character of Huey. It's no secret that I worked for many years before my breakthrough as a musician."

Memphis is booking at the Shaftesbury Theatre until the end of its scheduled run in the West End on 31 October 2015.

The West End production also stars Beverley Knight, Rolan Bell, Tyrone Huntley, Claire Machin, Jason Pennycooke and Mark Roper as Mr Simmons.

According to press material there are "early plans in progress" for a major tour of the UK and Ireland from Autumn 2016.