SOUTH Shields singing sensation Joe McElderry had everyone on their feet as a fantastic night came to a close.

The X Factor was in fine form as he belted out three tracks to the delight of the crowd.

SOUTH Shields singing star Joe McElderry says he’s honoured to be at the Pride of South Tyneside Awards.

The 21-year-old X Factor and Popstar to Operastar champ is one of the guests at the event which celebrates the brave, talented and hard-working people of the borough.

Joe was crowned Young Performer of the Year in 2008, and went on to win the X Factor a year later.

Tonight, he’s looking forward to presenting an award and performing at the end of the ceremony.

Follow the action live on Twitter at #sgazpride

SOUTH Shields superstar Joe McElderry is getting on his bike for a cancer charity.

The 21-year-old is set to tackle a coast-to-coast cycle for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

Joe and 15 of his close friends and family will ride more than 150 miles from Whitehaven, in Cumbria, to Joe’s hometown of South Shields.

The X Factor and Popstar to Operastar champ is a regional patron for the charity, which raises funds to support teenagers fighting cancer.

He said: “I’ve done the Great North Run three times now, and people have been so generous that they’ve helped me raise £10,000 for Teenage Cancer Trust the last two times.

“Because of work commitments, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do the run this year, so I wanted to try doing something a little different.

“Some of my friends and family have done a coast-to-coast cycle before and it sounded like a fun challenge to take on. It’s been a while since I’ve been on a bike though so I’ll have to get practicing.”

He added: “I go out running and exercise to keep fit quite a lot anyway so I’ll still be doing that and hopefully go out on the bike a couple of times a week to get my legs used to it.

“I’m not really feeling nervous. The main thing to remember is that it’s for charity and no matter how hard the challenge is, it’ll be worth it in the end.

“I’m sure the cycle will be a lot of fun and hopefully we’ll raise enough money to help the charity out. I’m looking forward to it – it’s going to be an experience.

“The work Teenage Cancer Trust does is really important.

“I’ve been to the centres and seen it first hand. Cycling 150 miles is nothing compared to what those kids, teens and their families are going through, and anything I can do to help, I will.”

Family-run AS Cycles, in St Aidan’s Road, South Shields, has donated a bike to Joe, and offered to service all the riders’ bikes before they set off on the challenge, dubbed the TCTC2C, on August 15.

The participants will also be offered a 20 per cent discount on any equipment they need for the four-day challenge.

Shepherd Engineering Services (SES) is also getting on board by donating food and drinks for the group.

After the challenge, Joe plans to auction the Merida Crossway 100 bike, worth £499, in aid of Teenage Cancer Trust, in the hope that the winning bidder will carry on the legacy by completing their own coast-to-coast cycle.

Joe, of Westoe, South Shields, said: “I’d love for whoever buys the bike to go on a coast-to-coast with their friends to raise money for the charity.

“It’s such an amazing cause but the charity needs help to continue its work.”

He added: “Riding into South Shields at the end of the cycle is going to be an amazing feeling.

“I’ve experienced it every time I’ve done the Great North Run – it just feels great to get back into Shields.

“It also helps that you’re coming into a familiar place so you know how far away the finish line is.”

Steve Wiberg, director of AS Cycles, said: “We’re just a small family business but what Joe and his family are doing is brilliant and we’re happy to help out.”

Joe added: “We haven’t got a total in mind, but we just want to raise as much as we can for what is such an amazing cause.”

To sponsor Joe and his fellow riders, go to www.justgiving.com/joe-mcelderry1 and to follow a live stream of the challenge, go to www.joemcelderryofficial.com.

n Fans can keep up to speed on Joe’s training as he writes a fortnightly column about his training for his favourite paper.

See Tuesday’s Gazette for the first instalment.

See the original article and video.