No.1 for Interviews - Joe McElderry
Joe McElderry

‘I never thought I would win’ - The X Factor winner speaks to No.1 about his time on the show, answers questions regarding his sexuality and tells us the advice that Cheryl has given him for making it big.

 That’s it, Christmas is most definitely over. No more mulled wine, mince pies or general frivolous merriment. But the one thing that most of us will be lamenting the loss of, far more than any festive foodstuff, is the fact that The X Factor is over for another year. Now thrust firmly into 2010, the vast majority of us have found ourselves at a loose end on Saturday and Sunday nights.

That’s because for the past six months or so, we have diligently tuned into the biggest reality singing competition in the world and this series has brought us more entertainment than ever. From the usual features such as Cheryl and Dannii’s fabulous fashion choices and Simon’s sarcastic put downs to some new additions such as Louis’s ‘rule book’ and of course John and Edward; The X Factor 2009 was bigger and better than ever.

And the rating figures are a testament to that. This series pulled in more than 20 per cent more viewers than last year and the final, which saw Northern lad Joe McElderry beat Essex boy Olly Murs to the top spot, was watched by over 17 million people making it one of the most-watched finals ever.

With all those eyes on him, it was therefore no wonder that when Joe was announced the winner of the £1 million record deal, he nearly fainted. Speaking of his win he said, “I just couldn’t believe it. I really did nearly pass out! My legs felt like jelly and I felt like I was floating!”

For the 18-year-old student from South Shields, life since that moment has been a whirlwind but luckily for us he took some time out from his busy schedule to talk exclusively to No.1. Asking if everything had sunk in yet, he replied, “I never thought I would actually win. I really owe so much to Cheryl, I couldn’t have done it without her.”

Whilst we were on the subject, we wanted to know a bit more about what ‘the nation’s sweetheart’ is like off screen. “I just loved working with Cheryl. She is so honest and genuine and incredibly beautiful. You know, she really can take your breath away!”

Is he still in contact with her? “Oh yes,” he replies. “She texts me all the time. I’ve just got one from her saying, ‘Just enjoy it all and if you ever have a moment where you have a bit of a wobble give me a ring.’ I really feel like I have made a lifelong friend in her.”

And what about the rest of the judges: what are they like? Admitting he gets asked this question all the time he replies, “They honestly are all really lovely. Louis is absolutely hysterical and we’d always have a laugh backstage. Dannii was so supportive and always offered really good advice and Simon, well at first I was intimidated by him, but he’s been great. I definitely have the best boss in the world!”

But ‘the boss’ was not best pleased when an internet campaign kept Joe from the much-coveted Christmas No.1 with his first single ‘The Climb.’ The campaign, which was started on Facebook, secured Rage Against the Machine’s 1992 song, ‘Killing in the Name’ the top spot – the first time a non-X Factor song has done that in four years. Speaking about it Simon said, “The campaign was obviously aimed directly at me and it’s a shame because it’s not me that’s missed out, it’s Joe.”

Throughout the much-hyped battle Joe was gracious at all times, even offering the pair who masterminded the campaign his congratulations. Thankfully, however, he didn’t totally miss out and made it to No.1 the very next week, clinching the first of 2010.

And it’s not the first (and probably not the last) that Joe has had to face some intense media scrutiny. There has been somewhat of a press furore surrounding his sexuality since he first attracted our attention with his note perfect crooning and choir boy looks and because of it, he has had to do some straight talking. “I am straight,” he says. “I try to let all this talk just go over my head because nearly every male singer that comes out of reality shows, or becomes a singer, always gets speculation.”

At just 18, you can’t help but feel a little sorry for him having to answer such questions but he seems to be taking it in his stride – something he might not have been so able to do if he was in this position two years ago, which he could have been, had he not dropped out. In 2007, Joe actually auditioned for The X Factor and got to bootcamp. Speaking about it he said, “I entered the show two years ago and got as far as bootcamp but then decided I wasn’t quite ready for it so I took myself out the competition and spent the next few years trying out for local competitions to gain more experience.”

“Coming back, I still didn’t think I would get through the first audition but the reality was so different. I still cannot believe that I’m the last person standing. It’s been a truly amazing experience and winning really is the icing on the cake.”

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