Joe McElderry gives special performance at The Sage

Dec 8 2009 by Gordon Barr, The Journal

X FACTOR finalist Joe McElderry gave a special, private performance to family and friends on Tyneside last night.

The South Shields teenager performed in the foyer outside Hall One at The Sage Gateshead to show why he is now hot favourite to win the talent competition.

He performed three songs – Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Don’t Stop Believin’ and Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word.

Joe, 18, flew into Tyneside early yesterday after clinching his place in the final three for this weekend’s big showdown.

A gig was hastily arranged for The Sage so Joe could say a big thank you to those closest to him – excerpts of which will be shown on the X Factor show this Saturday.

The venue was kept a closely guarded secret for fear of pandemonium, as Tyneside gears up to support their greatest talent hope since his mentor, Cheryl Cole, who introduced him last night, won Popstars The Rivals in 2002. Earlier in the day, hundreds of his former classmates at Harton Technology College, South Shields, mobbed the singer as he paid a flying visit, giving him a taste of stardom which is now almost in reach.

Joe arrived in a silver people carrier and was surrounded by security guards.

Cheryl Cole, with her new shorter hairstyle, walked by his side, wearing a white jacket emblazoned with skulls.

The screams were deafening for the Geordie duo, and pupils made banners with messages of support including ‘Welcome Joe’ and ‘Vote for Joe’.

Joe is up against Stacey Soloman and Olly Murs in this weekend’s final – but bookies make him the favourite to win.