X Factor star Joe McElderry's Oakengates date
X Factor star Joe McElderry today spoke of his bid to reinvent his career as he prepared for a date in Telford.
The singer, who will be on stage at Oakengates Theatre tonight, says he wants to showcase his soulful side to audiences.
While the artist says he has "fond memories" as a teenager on the country's biggest singing talent show, now he says it is time to grow up.
McElderry shot to fame aged 18 when he won X Factor in 2009, mentored by Cheryl Cole. However the young singer was subject of a high-profile online campaign which led to him missing out on the Christmas number one that year and he spilt from his record company within two years.
But after success in finding his classical voice, he has taken his career on a more mature path. Now 22, McElderry has embarked on his new Set Your Soul Alive tour.
His first performance was at Dudley Town Hall last night and he will move on to Telford tonight.
"This is what it is about for me, the tour is more personal and I'm doing a mix of songs which is showing people where I am now. It feels more natural than before," he said.
He says he wants to showcase his vocal talents which brought him acclaim on the reality show Popstar to Operastar. His 90-minute set at Dudley last night included a sweetly-sung version of Italian number E Penso A Te and the well-known Nessun Dorma.
