Joe McElderry has turned down The X Factor’s upcoming All Stars series.
Joe won the show in 2009 and has gone on to release several albums in the decade since.
But he’s revealed he declined the opportunity to return, instead opting to stage a special tour to celebrate 10 years since his victory.
“I was asked to be a part of it and we had a conversation and I was flattered that they asked me to be part of it, but you know I’m heading out on this tour next week,” Joe explained.
He told the Daily Mirror newspaper: “I felt like I had a great time on X Factor the first time around, I loved the show, I loved the experience, I’ve got a great platform from it, it’s given me a great career that I’m very thankful for and I’d never ever diss that or try to move away from it or shake it off.
“I’m very appreciative of the platform I was given but I felt for me, it’s 10 years being in the industry and I wanted to celebrate with the people who’ve come to the shows over the years and bought the albums.”
Joe, who beat Olly Murs to victory in the series 6 final, added: “I wanted to do a face to face celebration and it didn’t feel right for me, I didn’t have a good instinct about it because I didn’t want to go back a second time and not enjoy it as much as the first time.”
You can find out more about Joe’s upcoming The Impossible Dream tour from joemcelderryofficial.com
Meanwhile, The X Factor’s new All Stars series is set to air on ITV later this year following the current Celebrity season.
Host Dermot O’Leary recently teased that the new spin-off would welcome back “a few of the winners, a few of the sort-of nearly winners and a few of the more eccentric people.”
2008 champion Alexandra Burke is also rumoured to be making a return together with Ray Quinn, who was runner up to Leona Lewis in 2006.
It’s also been reported that the show could feature acts from international versions of The X Factor.
Wagner, Honey G and Jedward have also been suggested for a return.
They’re said to include Fifth Harmony’s Dinah Jane, who rose to fame on The X Factor USA’s second season in 2012, and X Factor Australia winner Samantha Jade.
For now, The X Factor continues this Saturday night on ITV with its new Celebrity series.
A number of familiar faces including US actor Kevin McHale and reality star Megan McKenna are competing for a record deal.
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