X Factor winner Joe McElderry to star in Newcastle Theatre Royal's 2020 panto Humpty Dumpty

The X Factor star will join panto royalty in this year’s family pantomime Humpty Dumpty, showing at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle from Tuesday, November 24 to Sunday, January 17.

Joe became a household name after winning the sixth series of ITV’s The X Factor in 2009 and his first single ‘The Climb’ reached number one in the UK singles chart.

Last year he completed his Impossible Dream tour, a celebration of 10 years of music since his X Factor win.

Joe has also appeared in The Who’s Tommy and toured the UK throughout 2019 in the new musical Club Tropicana.

He recently starred alongside Lesley Joseph, Matt Slack, Faye Brookes and Flawless in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Birmingham Hippodrome where he thrilled audiences and critics with his powerhouse vocals as The Spirit of the Mirror.Humpty Dumpty marks Joe’s seventh pantomime for Qdos Entertainment, having starred in productions of Cinderella, Aladdin and Dick Whittington.

He joins Danny Adams and Clive Webb in what will be their 16th consecutive Theatre Royal pantomime, alongside the Grande Dame of Grey Street, Chris Hayward, who this year will celebrate his 14th panto season in Newcastle.

Speaking on his casting Joe said: “I am so glad to have been asked by Michael to join the cast of Humpty Dumpty at Newcastle Theatre Royal, without doubt one of my favourite theatres in the world. I’m over the moon to get the chance to be at home in Newcastle over the festive period and absolutely delighted to join the legends that are Danny, Clive and Chris in panto-land.”Qdos Entertainment’s Managing Director Michael Harrison said: “Last Christmas, as well as directing Beauty and the Beast at Newcastle Theatre Royal and Goldilocks and The Three Bears at The London Palladium, I was lucky enough to work with Joe McElderry on Snow White at Birmingham Hippodrome. Joe is one of the nicest, kindest, funniest and most talented performers I have ever worked with. His vocals are world-class and his personality both on stage and off makes him a natural for pantomime.”He added: “Joe thought it impossible that he would ever be able to be part of the legendary Theatre Royal pantomime because reigning stars Danny Adams, Clive Webb and Chris Hayward are as popular as ever selling tens of thousands of tickets every year. However, I couldn’t resist the opportunity to add him to this year’s brand-new pantomime Humpty Dumpty, creating a new dimension to our show. I can’t wait for this brilliant performer to join the gang and for our audiences to see why I love him and his extraordinary talent so much. I’m sure they will feel the same - they are in for a treat.”

Tickets from £14.50 are selling fast and can be purchased from the Theatre Royal Box Office on 08448 11 21 21.