X Factor star Joe McElderry unrecognisable in holiday snap 15 years after winning show
X Factor fans have been left in awe after Joe McElderry shared a holiday snap to Instagram – and the singer looks very different to how he appeared when he emerged victorious on the show back in 2009
X Factor's Joe McElderry looks unrecognisable from his days on the show in a recent snap.
The singer won the competition back in 2009, with his first single The Climb reaching number one on the UK and Irish singles chart following his victory.
It has been nearly 15 years since Joe bagged the win, and fans can't believe how much Joe has changed in that time. Taking to Instagram, the reality TV star, 33, shared a pair of photographs taken on holiday in Montenegro. He could be seen leaning against a balcony, beaming and holding an Aperol Spritz in one hand.
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He kept his outfit simple, opting for a beige t-shirt, white shorts and no shoes. People were quick to comment on the post, with one person writing: "Lovely glow to match your Aperol!! xx." Another chimed in: "Beautiful, so relaxed," followed by a heart emoji. Meanwhile a third chimed in: "Lovely holiday photos Joe!"
"It's good to see you relaxed and happy," agreed a fourth. Another added: "You look lovely and tanned hope you’re having a nice holiday."
Joe, from South Shields, beat runner-up Olly Murs to win the ITV show's sixth series and competed against Rage Against the Machine for that year's UK Christmas number one. Ultimately, the rap metal group's 1992 song Killing In The Name Of made it to the top spot after music fans downloaded it en masse in protest against the show.
However, this did not stop Joe from going on to have an illustrious career. His cover of Miley Cyrus' hit song did eventually make it to number one, and he went on to be the first X Factor contestant to release a fourth album. He has seen five of his albums break the UK top 20, and two reached the top three.
After his success as a recording artist, Joe set his sights on the theatre. He has appeared in the likes of Cinderella, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat and, in 2023 and 2024, a pantomime version of Pinocchio. The production, at the Royal Theatre Newcastle, saw him take on the role of Jiminy Cricket.
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