A British university student has won the French version of The X Factor after failing to make it in the UK series.

Matthew Raymond-Barker, from Mitcham in Surrey, came out on top in Tuesday's final in front of millions of television viewers.

The singer - who burst into tears on stage when his name was read out - is studying French at Bath University.

He entered the competition while in Toulouse as part of his degree.

The 22-year-old has been awarded a recording contract and will release his first single in France soon.

He auditioned for the last series of the UK show but failed to make it past the first round of boot camp.

The final saw Mr Raymond-Barker performing alongside Bruno Mars.

Over the course of the competition the student tried his hand at covers including Jessie J's Price Tag, Single Ladies by Beyonce and Michael Jackson's classic Man In The Mirror.

His official Facebook page has more than 14,000 fans and he also posts updates in French on his Twitter feed.

Speaking to Sky News, French Radio DJ Manon Ferrant said: "I think French people are looking for something different in music and maybe his style of music is better received in France.

"People are more willing to listen to this kind of music to this style than in the UK."