The University 's cheerleading troupe Flames were watched by millions of TV viewers when they took centre stage at a special live screen of the X Factor final at Colchester Campus.

Friends and fans of X Factor finalist Matt Cardle packed into the Ivor Crewe Lecture Hall to watch a special live screening of the two-day final which linked to the main show.

It was the second year running the University had played host to the X Factor as a similar event was held for fans of Olly Murs when he made it to the final of X Factor last year but lost to Joe McElderry.

This year, fans were not disappointed when Matt took the X Factor crown in a tense final.