The X Factor winner Joe McElderry: Give me a few glasses and I believe I am Beyoncé
JOE, 24, won The X Factor in 2009 and is due to tour with the musical Joseph.
'I think that you can’t regret things – everything happens for a reason'
Not a lot of people know this but I’m very good at... skiing. People didn’t know I could ski before I went on The Jump [the Channel 4 winter sports show]. I think that surprised a few people. It has always been a massive part of my family holidays – we would go away for Christmas.
My best friend is… I have a really close-knit group of friends. There are about five or six of them I would class as my best friends. I haveno favourites, though – I would get into trouble if I did that.
I wouldn’t be where I am without the mistakes I made or the things that happened
The bravest thing I’ve ever done is… In terms of something where I was absolutely terrified, it would have to be on The Jump. Part of the competition was to go down a skeleton run.
A sheet of metal going at 80mph. We had to do it three times and it was like being in a car crash over and over. It was the most horrific thing I have ever experienced. I class myself as very brave to have done that.
My perfect evening is performing in concert
My favourite TV show is... Friends or Will & Grace. I’m obsessed with Karen Walker – she is brill.
My perfect evening is... performing in concert. Most evenings I’m performing on stage. I’m lucky enough to get to do that every day. Doing a concert is like a night out every night.
I’d like to say sorry to... I like to think I always apologise to people if I am in the wrong.If I ever feel bad about something or have upset someone, even if I don’tunderstand why myself, I try to be the bigger person and apologise.
My first kiss was... I don’t even know who my first kiss was. I think it was one of my best girlfriends. Behind the ice cream van – ha ha!
My biggest regret is... I think that you can’t regret things – everything happens for a reason. That is true in my career, things happened to me and I think, “Why didn’t I question it
at the time.” But then I wouldn’t be where I am without the mistakes I made or the things that happened.
'The best day of my life was winning The X Factor'
The one thing I’d change about myself is... I’m a bit of a worrier, especially with work. I worry if people enjoy the show. I am better now, but I still panic.
The best thing my parents taught me was... to always know your roots, be humble and be kind to people – to try to always be a good person and do your best.
The first record I ever bought was… by the Spice Girls. I bought the Spice Up Your Life single on double-sided tape cassette from Woolworths. I was about nine or 10.
It’s not good for my image but I like... dancing hilariously when I am drunk. I love going out with friends and having a great time. Give me a few glasses and I believe I am Beyoncé.
My greatest weakness is... I always give people the benefit of the doubt and sometimes that leaves you getting let down. I give people too many chances really.
If I could pass any law I would... make it so that when you get into a car, there’s a breathalyser init and you can’t start your engine until you have passed a test. That would stop drink-driving, the car literally would not start. It would save a few lives.
I drive... a Mercedes-Benz 4x4 in silver.
The shop I can’t walk past is… Topman, probably. On stage I wear suits but I am a casual dresser – jeans, bomber jackets, boots. I’m not a designer dresser, I enjoy the high street. I’m from Newcastle, so I have to keep it real.
The most expensive thing I’ve ever splashed out on is… my house. It is up north and I bought it about a year and a half after X Factor. I was so young, but knew I was very lucky.
My perfect Sunday is... a nice Sunday roast, chilling and watching TV with friends. I don’t cook at all but there is a restaurant near my house and they do a takeaway Sunday roast. It comes in lovely silver trays – it is very posh. I can pretend I cooked it.
Lorraine - Antony Costa and Joe McElderry ITV
My favourite place in Britain is... the Lake District because I spent a lot of time there as a kid, in Pooley Bridge. We went camping a lot when we were tiny kids. I went back not long ago and I have a lot of fond memories of swimming in lakes and climbing mountains.
My last holiday was… to Ibiza in the summer but it was a good balance. I had a lovely villa in the mountains. It wasn’t a mad trip where you need another holiday at the end of it.
The best day of my life was… winningThe X Factor.
If I had half an hour left on Earth… I would try to tell everyone how much they meant to me. I don’t think I would quite manage it in half an hour, but I would try.
Joe is playing the title role in the UK tour of Joseph And The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat from January 25. See josephthemusical.com.