Joe McElderry unrecognisable on beach holiday as one photo leaves fans surprised

Daily Mirror

24-05-2025

Joe McElderry caused excitement among his fanbase when they questioned if his latest topless holiday snap included less clothing than expected and if the star was posing nude
Joe McElderry has been lapping up the sun - and splashing along the beach - while on an early summer holiday. The 33-year-old former X Factor winner is sunning himself on the Caribbean island of Barbados.
However, he sparked a frenzy of speculation about exactly how much of his body he would be tanning while enjoying his time in the sun. Since arriving on the Island, Joe has been sharing photos and video clips via Instagram.
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And one image that he shared drew the attention of fans, as there was at least an illusion that he was sitting on a sun chair while completely naked. The singer shared a couple of snaps from a beachside balcony wit his arms and legs positioned in a way so as to cover any clothes that he was sporting.
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Clearly topless, some fans questioned if he was also bare from the waste down too. He uploaded the snaps to his main feed with a simple caption stating: "Here" along with a sun emoji.
One curious fan reacted to the post and asked: "Have you got shorts on?" Another fan also wondered if the singer was nude, writing in response: "I had to look twice" along with eyes emojis.
Another post from the star showed him smiling while sitting at a beach-side table - and he also shared videos of the ocean, and a walk along the sandy beach.
Fans were also excited to see Joe showing off his muscular physique as he enjoyed himself in the sunshine. The star has been working out to prepare for a role.
The Climb singer previously explained he had been working out with former Miss Universe finalist Caroline Dixon and following a strict diet. He told Fabulous magazine: "Most of the stuff we do is killer, but in a weird way I really enjoy it."
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He added: "I'm a really active person and I've done lots of charity bike rides."
Joe, from South Shields, beat runner-up Olly to win the ITV show's sixth series and competed against Rage Against the Machine for that year's UK Christmas number one. Ultimately, the rap metal group's 1992 song Killing In The Name Of made it to the top spot after music fans downloaded it en masse in protest against the show.
However, this did not stop Joe from going on to have an illustrious career. His cover of Biffy Clyro's hit song did eventually make it to number one, and he went on to be the first X Factor contestant to release a fourth album. He has seen five of his albums break the UK top 20, and two reached the top three.
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It was after his success as a recording artist that Joe turned to theatre. As well as starring in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, he has appeared in productions like Cinderella and, in 2023 and 2024, a pantomime version of Pinocchio. In this production at the Royal Theatre Newcastle, he took on the role of Jiminy Cricket.
The X Factor last aired on TV in 2018, before going on a hiatus. X Factor producer Simon Cowell is currently working on the sixteenth series of BGT. Tt's been claimed that he is contracted to be head judge on the show until 2025. It has also been reported that he could move to rival broadcaster Channel 5 for other projects. It's teased he could develop new shows or even revive the likes of the X Factor.
Discussing the possibility, a source told the Sun that it would be a "huge move" for Simon, who has carved out a career in TV through the likes of the X Factor and BGT on ITV. The source further commented: "It would effectively see him turn his back on ITV after two decades which has seen him deliver them two of their biggest hits. There's a strong sense that one chapter is ending and another beginning and Channel 5 are keen to be a part of that. But they'd need to nail down a seven-figure contract to seal the deal to bring him across."