X Factor star Joe McElderry unrecognisable as he strips shirtless in beach video
Former X Factor star Joe McElderry turned up the heat on his social media by stripping off his shirt and running into a freezing cold North Sea. The 32-year-old singer has been keeping his followers updated recently on his new hobby of cold water swimming, and got a friend to film him coming out of the chilly waters, dressed in grey-and-white swimming trunks.
Joe, who's best known for his track The Climb, looked very different from his days on the sixth series of The X Factor, now rocking a more rugged look with dark stubble and slicked-back hair. Teasing fans in the first clip filmed from the car, he gave the camera an impish thumbs-up, confessing: "Oh my God, I look horrific this morning, but... it's sea dip day! It's time."
He continued: "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.
"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," reports the Daily Star. He was joined by his friend Faye, who filmed him running back out of the chilly-looking sea and saying: "We did it! Finally summer's here, and we were in a lot longer!"
Joe has been vocal about changing shape and style, and also addressed his fight against body shamers. He previously shared: "I never promote anything apart from being healthy and fit. That is my message, doesn't matter what shape or size you are."
On an appearance on Lorraine back in 2015, he said he didn't "do diets", but focussed on a balanced mix. "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," he said.
"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."
The talented singer, who famously triumphed over Olly Murs on the ITV singing show back in 2009, faced a setback when he parted ways with Simon Cowell's Syco label in 2011. Despite this, Joe has kept busy, gracing our screens in shows like pop star to Operastar and The Jump, and dazzling audiences with his performances in theatre.
