The 18-year-old from Westoe, South Shields, will appear in the ITV1 show wowing the judges with his showstopping voice.

The sixth series of the reality talent show hits TV screens at 7pm tonight.

Joe, who reveals he "stumbled across his voice" while doing karaoke a few years ago, earned himself a standing ovation from the crowd in Manchester with his rendition of Luther Vandross's Dance With My Father.

The new format of the show means auditionees perform in front of a live audience, similar to Britain's Got Talent.

Joe, who will be watching the show tonight with friends and family, said: "I thought the audience would just clap, but then everyone started to stand up, it was amazing.

"My clip has been everywhere. It's crazy, but I really got a buzz out of seeing it.

"I was just eating my dinner and my face pops up on national news, and that's before the show's even started.

"My dream is to be performing every day and singing for a living."

Simon Cowell was full of praise, saying: "Your performance was astonishing. You were really good. We may have just found ourselves a pop star."

Judge and fellow Geordie Cheryl Cole gave him an enthusiastic "why-aye" before saying: "It's nice to hear a familiar voice. You've done us proud."

Louis Walsh added: "The girls are going to love you. You just made this competition very exciting."

Joe told the Gazette: "I got really good comments, I couldn't have asked for better ones."

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It's not the first time the former Pride of South Tyneside Young Performer of the Year winner has been involved in the popular talent show.

Two years ago he made it to boot camp, but felt it was too soon and left a few days in.

Now he feels he's ready for the full experience – whatever that may bring.

He said: "I've just been taking everything in and really enjoyed it this time round. I know I'm ready."

Joe is currently at Newcastle College studying performing arts.

He wowed the crowd at the Shields Gazette annual fashion show last month, which raises cash for local charities Cancer Connections and the Mick Knighton Mesothelioma Research Fund.

Staff at his former workplace, The Customs House in South Shields, are all rooting for him.

Executive director Ray Spencer said: "We wish Joe all the very best.

"Having seen him perform lots of times here at the Customs House we know he has lots of potential to be a fantastic singer.

"I just hope Mr Cowell is as wowed as our audiences have been in the past."

Clip of Joe McElderry from The X Factor, courtesy of ITV1. For more on the show, visit the website using this link.