Joe McElderry

Joe McElderry, singer from the North East of England, was catapulted into the public eye in 2009 when his rich voice and infectious personality helped him win 'The X Factor' TV talent show. Performing with local band the Dolly Mixtures, he originally auditioned for X Factor in 2007, returning two years later after studying Performing Arts at Newcastle College, winning the Pride of South Tyneside's Young Performer of the Year and playing Danny Zuko in a local production of 'Grease'. During the show he performed songs by Luther Vandross, George Michael, Elton John, Queen, John Lennon and Robbie Williams, eventually beating Olly Murs in the final to win a record deal with Syco Entertainment. However, his debut single, a cover of the Miley Cyrus hit 'The Climb', failed to achieve the Christmas number one spot customarily won by 'The X Factor' winner after an anti-Simon Cowell Internet campaign propelled Rage Against the Machine to the top position. McElderry sang on 'Everybody Hurts', the charity single raising money for the Haiti earthquake appeal, and in 2010 he released his first album 'Wide Awake', which reached number three in the UK Albums Chart. In 2010 he was asked by Twentieth Century Fox to record the Carrie Underwood penned 'There's a Place for Us' for use on the soundtrack of 'The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader'. Released as a B-side to his single 'Someone Wake Me Up', 'There's a Place for Us' earned McElderry a Golden Globe nomination for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture. The following year he parted ways with Syco (with speculation as to whether he left of his own accord or if his contract was terminated), and, now able to make more of his own decisions, he took part in the ITV series 'Popstar to Operastar'. Beating Cheryl Baker to take the crown, McElderry now had two talent contest wins under his belt. On the back of this, he released his second album 'Classic' on which he spread his wings a little away from the manufactured pop of 'Wide Awake', opting more for big ballads and even a few opera inspired tracks. The album went to number two on the UK Albums Chart and gave McElderry a whole new set of fans. His third album, 'Here's What I Believe', gave him his third top ten album in 2012 and he followed this achievement up with a stint in musical theatre with parts in 'Dirty Dancing', 'Tommy' and 'Thriller Live'. 2014 saw him take part in the Channel 4 reality show 'The Jump' which had celebrity contestants battling it out to be the best at a series of snow sports - he was crowned the winner of 'The Jump' and shortly after set off on a UK tour. He released brand new album 'Saturday Night at the Movies' in 2017, featuring classic tracks from films including 'Don't Wanna Miss a Thing' from 'Armageddon and 'If I Loved You' from 'Carousel', as well as some original songs penned by 10CC front man Graham Goudman.

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