POPSTAR Joe McElderry, X Factor winner in 2009, will fulfil a lifelong ambition when he makes his Christmas pantomime debut in Cinderella, at the Beck Theatre in Hayes.

The singing sensation from South Shields, who won the TV talent show when he was just 18, will play Prince Charming, and audiences can expect to hear the '24-carat voice' that propelled him to stardom, and won him millions of loyal fans.

Taking time out to speak to the Gazette, he said this festive production is an opportunity he has been waiting for.

"I first went to panto when I was five-years-old, and I have been obsessed with them ever since," said Joe.
"I remember wanting to be part of it all - the glitz, the glamour, the thigh-slapping.

"I haven't been able to do it in the past because of my work schedule, but I had the time this year so I jumped at the chance. I'm really excited."

He has come a long way since his whirlwind success in the X Factor. Now 22, he is signed to Universal and has four albums under his belt, with a fifth in the pipeline, and a national 2014 tour starting next March.

For now, though, he will be sharpening up on his thigh-slapping slapstick and crowd-pleasing innuendos.
See the video below, and read the full interview in this week's Gazette.

Cinderella is showing at the Beck Theatre, in Grange Road, Hayes, from Saturday December 14, to Sunday January 5.

Tickets are on sale now. To book and to see show times, visit www.becktheatre.org.uk , or call the Box Office on 0208 561 8371.