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X Factor judges praise Gresham

Rockingham acoustic musician Matt Gresham received praise from all four judges as he blitzed the first audition of The X Factor, televised last Wednesday night.

Gresham performed an acoustic version of Bob Marley’s No Woman No Cry.

In the pre-audition interview, he said he battled alcohol but gave it up at 20 to focus on his music.

He hoped the show would be an opportunity for mass exposure.

Judge Ronan Keating described Gresham as a ‘‘true talent’’, a sentiment shared by Natalie Bassingthwaighte.

‘‘I felt really moved by your performance,’’ she said.

‘‘It felt effortless and it was beautiful.’’

Former Spice Girl Me Brown criticised Gresham’s choice of accent when performing the song but said she would forgive it because he was a ‘‘unique, cool and different performer, and that was bloody great’’.

Guy Sebastian hailed Gresham the best male performer in the contest.

‘‘You will be an artist—you will record albums that people will buy,’’ he said.

The X Factor airs on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday nights on Channel 7.