X Factor star Joe McElderry is looking a lot different these days – and wowed fans as he stripped shirtless on the beach.
The season six winner, who shot to fame with the release of his first single The Climb, was having the time of his life as he stood wearing nothing but a pair of grey-and-white swimming trunks on a chilly-looking beach. Joe went barefoot on the wet sand as he spread his arms wide, showing off his hunky form.
A far cry from his clean-shaven look back in his X Factor days, the 32-year-old sported dark stubble over his jaw, with his wet hair slicked back from his face. He flashed the camera a cheeky thumbs-up, explaining to fans: “Oh my God, I look horrific this morning, but… it’s sea dip day! It’s time.
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“I feel like we’re almost at the point now where it becomes bearable and I’m not screaming like there’s no tomorrow. So stay tuned, I’m meeting my friend and going in! I’m not dreading it today because it’s been warm outside, and I’ve been dreading it every other time we’ve done it.
(Image: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
“I like cold water! But it’s just been not enjoyable the last few times. I’m praying that this morning is the start of summer.” Joe met up with his friend Faye and later declared: “We did it!” Joe said: “Finally summer’s here, and we were in a lot longer!”
Joe has been parading his recent weight loss after opening up about his battle against body shaming. He said: “I never promote anything apart from being healthy and fit. That is my message, doesn’t matter what shape or size you are.”
(Image: @joemcelderryofficial/instagram)
The star added on Lorraine back in 2015: “I don’t do diets, I eat loads of good healthy food and I think that’s the important thing and this whole body shaming thing is just ridiculous it’s gone beyond a joke now. I can take it, it’s part of my job to get scrutinised about what you’re doing. For me it’s not a big deal but for people reading these things it’s not a good message to send.”
Joe initially beat Olly Murs to the X Factor crown in 2009, but was dropped from Simon Cowell’s Syco label in 2011. The star has continued to forge a career for himself in TV, appearing on everything from Popstar to Operastar to The Jump, along with having a career in theatre.
(Image: @joemcelderryofficial/instagram)
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But he’s had his fair share of peril, too, and in 2012 became a victim of stalking when an obsessed fan began to follow him to his home and bombarded him with messages on social media. After going as far as to harass Joe’s mum Eileen, the perpetrator was handed a five-year restraining order against the singer.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
