The Climb - Joe McElderry - Winner X Factor 2009

Joseph McElderry (born 16 June 1991 in South Shields, Tyne and Wear, England) is an English singer. He won the sixth series of the ITV show The X Factor in 2009. His first single "The Climb" reached #1 on the UK and Irish Singles Charts.

Early life

Born in South Shields, England, Joe is the only child of Jim McElderry and Eileen Joyce. The couple separated when McElderry was a child, but have said they have a great relationship. McElderry was raised with help from his grandmother Hilda Joyce and his aunts. Hilda used to sing in a band called The Dolly Mixtures, who performed in the pubs and clubs of the North-East of England.

McElderry attended Harton Technology College in Lisle Road, South Shields, before joining South Tyneside College to study AS level school qualifications, and Newcastle College to study performing arts.

Singing career

He was the Pride of South Tyneside's Young Performer of the Year in 2008. McElderry studies for BTEC National Diploma in Performing Arts at Newcastle College Performance Academy. He was backed by the college to win The X Factor. He took the role of Danny Zuko in Grease performed at Harton Technology College. McElderry had previously auditioned for The X Factor in 2007, but felt too young compared to the other contestants and opted to walk away.

2009: The X Factor

McElderry auditioned in Manchester and sang Luther Vandross' "Dance with My Father". The audition was televised on 22 August 2009. After this performance, he got full support from the judges. He travelled to Marrakesh in Morocco with mentor, Cheryl Cole, and guest judge Will Young, and was picked as one of her final three contestants in the boys’ category to progress to the live shows.

Final

McElderry's first song in the final was Luther Vandross' "Dance With My Father", the song he sang at his audition. His second song was a duet with George Michael, sining "Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me". His third song was "Sorry Seems to Be the Hardest Word", which he sang on the eighth live show. McElderry secured his place in the final two after winning the public vote alongside Olly Murs. Stacey Solomon missed out on a place, despite giving a confident performance. They both performed the winner's song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus in Sunday night's final. McElderry won the series, and went on to release his first single, "The Climb". McElderry told the Sunday Mirror that he wanted to win the title for his grandmother, Hilda.