Joe McElderry to Set Your Soul Alive at the Grove

Joe McElderry rose to fame when he was 18 on the ITV show, with Cheryl Cole as his mentor.

Since the X Factor he has been recording songs and appearing on reality TV shows, in 2011 he beat Cheryl Baker, former Bucks Fizz singer, to win ITV show Popstar to Operastar and earlier this year he won the Channel 4 show, Jump, a final jump of 17.5 metres off the K40 jump.

The 22-year-old said: “I have loved everything that I have done, it started with the X Factor where I got to perform in front of a live audience and it gave me great opportunities, Popstar to Operastar was one of my favourites because I really did not expect to win and Jump was a challenge and very different to what I am used to, it was a lot of fun though.”

The show has new material and some classics, he said: “It is a very fun show with a lot of high energy but it also has a chilled back vibe, I wanted the show to be enjoyed by all ages, so there is something for everyone.

“It’s a lot of fun and I am really enjoying it, I am looking forward to performing at the Grove.”

The songwriter has released four top 20 albums and his hits include The Climb, Ambitions, Big River, Here’s What I Believe and When I Need You.

He said: “The Climb is one of my favourite songs because it was the first single I released as an artist, Here’s What I Believe is also a favourite of mine because I co-wrote it, so it means a lot to me.”

He has been working continuously for the last five years and plans to take a long holiday after Christmas, when his tour and gigs have finished.

The performer said: “I love the connection I have with the audience, when I’m on stage and they are singing the songs back to me, it’s a great feeling.”

Joe McElderry is an ambassador for Teenage Cancer Trust and has run the Great North Run half marathon twice, to raise thousands of pounds for the charity.

He has performed a number of concerts to benefit charities, including the Rays of Sunshine charity concert, for Josie’s Dragonfly Trust and took part in Simon Cowell’s Helping Haiti cover of Everybody Hurts.

He said: “I think it is important to help, we get so much publicity for silly things, it’s good to use that publicity to help others that need it, it’s great to give back.”

Grove theatre are running a competition for readers to win a meet and greet with Joe and his sound check before the show and two tickets for the show.

To enter the competition, the entrant must complete the sentence below and the best answer will win.

‘I would like to win because...’ Answers can be sent to Grove theatre, Grove Park, Court Drive, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU5 4GP or my email [email protected].

The show starts at 7.30pm and tickets are £19.50, visit www.grovetheatre.co.uk.