HE captured the nation's imagination when he was crowned X Factor champion as a teenager in 2009 and Joe McElderry is the headline act at to grace the Theatre Royal this season.

Twenty-four-year-old singer Joe plays the eponymous role in musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat which hits the town centre theatre later this month.

Joe, who has become somewhat of a TV reality show specialist, having also won Popstar to Operastar and then The Jump last year, says he is looking forward to making a return to the town.

"I have been to St Helens for a few solo concerts in the past and it has always been a lovely audience and I'm hoping for the same again," the Geordie performer told the Star.

"I have been lucky to play at venues of all sizes and I think there is certainly something special about having the audience right there in the room and I get a connection with them. I think that comes from the audience and they feel more a part of it and try to create that atmosphere."

The show, which tells the biblical story of Joseph, sold into slavery by his envious brothers before eventually becoming the Pharaoh of Egypt’s trusted right-hand man, has already started its nationwide tour and comes to the Theatre Royal on Tuesday, February 23 until Saturday 27.

"I haven't done that much theatre before and this is the first long-running musical that I have done but it is a very famous iconic story and it hasn't been too hard learning it all," added popstar Joe.

"The cast are absolutely incredible and that has a great effect on everyone and we all get on really well. We are visiting new places and everyone supports each other.

"It is a whole new way of performing, when it's a solo show there's a lot more pressure so it feels very different and I enjoy the difference. I enjoy them both."

Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will be performed nine times between Tuesday and Saturday next week (February 23 to 27).

Tickets are from £23. Visit the Theatre Royal Box Office, call 01744 756 000 or visit www.sthelenstheatreroyal.com to book.