X Factor winner Joe McElderry, who topped the charts with his debut single The Climb in 2009, took to the stage in Bents Park, South Shields on Sunday (August 2), as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
The 24 year-old, who also won reality shows Popstar to Operastar and The Jump, performed tracks from his four successful studio albums, entertaining crowds of more than 18,500 fans.
He was joined for the special homecoming gig by former fishmonger and fellow X Factor star Lola Saunders, from East Boldon, as well as Gateshead’s Jamie Lambert, who appeared with his Britain’s Got Talent winning band, Collabro.
The musical theatre boyband, which stormed to victory on the ITV talent show in 2014, wowed the appreciative audience with tracks for their chart-topping debut album, Star, as well as the highly successful follow up, Act Two, which was released earlier this year.
The afternoon also included an appearance by talented South Shields teenager, Eve Simpson, who is already building a strong fanbase after showcasing her original music and covers on social media.
The North East Stars concert, supported by Port of Tyne, Dicksons and Colmans, was the final in a series of four Bents Park gigs being held as part of the South Tyneside Festival 2015.
The festival itself, which is organised annually by South Tyneside Council, continues until the end of August with free entertainment and activities for all ages.
Councillor Alan Kerr, Deputy Leader of South Tyneside Council, with responsibility for Culture and Leisure, said: “Joe drew record crowds when he performed at the South Tyneside Festival in 2011 and we were delighted to bring him back by popular demand this weekend.
“Not only did he have the crowd on their feet but both Lola and Collabro went down a storm and it was great to be able to introduce the audience to new, emerging artist Eve Simpson too.”
To see pictures from Sunday’s concert featuring Joe, Collabro and Lola, visitwww.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk. More information and full listings for the South Tyneside Festival can also be found by searching for South Tyneside Events on Facebook, following STynesideEvents on Twitter or calling the South Tyneside Visitor Information Centre on 0191 424 7788.