Joe McElderry is still recovering from being crowned champion on Channel 4’s The Jump but that’s not stopping the 2009 X Factor winner from going out on a 60-date UK tour. “This is the second solo tour I’ve done. I absolutely love it”, Joe told HELLO! Online. He added: “I love the hustle and bustle of it all, being in venues, being with the band and crew and being around people all the time. “I love the atmosphere it brings.”
The winner of three reality shows – The Jump, Pop Star to Opera Star, and The X Factor – Joe wasn’t originally meant to star in the controversial and dangerous reality show The Jump, revealing, “I was in Austria on a skiing holiday and they needed a skier who could catch up the training in a day, so I got asked to do it. And I’m one of these people who will jump at an opportunity like that as I don’t mind the last-minute fun element.”
And Joe didn’t even consider the danger of the show until he got there.“When I realised what I was doing I thought ‘uh oh, what if I break a bone or break my neck before the tour?’, and everyone would be really annoyed and ‘was I insured?’ “But it was such an amazing experience.” Joe positivity and optimistic attitude shines through, and he has some strong words for fellow X Factor winner James Arthur who recently called the past male winner ‘unbelievable’.
“He should spend less time worrying about past winners and more about his own career,” confided Joe. “I don’t worry about his so he shouldn’t worry about mine.” “Just enjoy what you do, have fun and be happy with yourself instead of commenting on everyone else, it’s negative and a waste of time,” he suggests.
The 22-year-old adds: “Be positive and support – it’s a big music industry, plenty of space for everyone and everybody should support everyone.”After winning 2009’s The X Factor, but losing the Christmas number spot to Rage Against The Machine’s KillingIn The Name thanks to an internet campaign, Joe turned his hand to another reality show, Pop Star to Opera Star which he also won. With three reality show wins under his belt, he’s a good position to discuss what makes for a strong reality show.
© Photo: Getty Images“People like to see the people they watch on TV out of their comfort zones,” says Joe “When they’re seeing things that you can see are difficult, I think people take their hats off to that so that’s why people enjoyed The Jump because were doing things that were really dangerous.”
Between 2010 and 2012 Joe released four albums and he says he doesn’t want to rush the long-awaited fifth album. “I want to take my time and not do it for the sake of it,” confides Joe, before adding: “I try with every album to show progression or a different style. I’d like to do a full classical album or full pop.”As well as musical progress, Joe is eager to try his hand at everything. “A musical film, that’s the dream,” laughs Joe. “Although I’d have to scrub up on acting skills!” He adds that the perfect musical for him would be a new version of Grease.“ A brand new storyline with brand new music but a Grease of my generation. We haven’t had one of those, that kind of film. So if anyone knows anyone who can write that sent it my way!”
