{"id":8051,"date":"2026-07-02T16:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/x-factor-star-joe-mcelderry-hits-back-at-trolls-weight-comment\/"},"modified":"2026-07-02T16:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-02T15:05:00","slug":"x-factor-star-joe-mcelderry-hits-back-at-trolls-weight-comment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thehotedit.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/02\/x-factor-star-joe-mcelderry-hits-back-at-trolls-weight-comment\/","title":{"rendered":"X Factor star Joe McElderry hits back at troll’s weight comment"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Former X Factor winner Joe McElderry has hit back after an online troll mocked his appearance, saying he feels \u201cthe fittest I\u2019ve been in a very long time\u201d.<\/p>\n

As reported by The Sun<\/a>, the singer responded after a social media user accused him of \u201cpiling on weight\u201d in a cruel post.<\/p>\n

Joe, 35, reposted the image on Instagram. The follower shared a picture of Austin Powers character Fat B*****d and wrote: \u201cPiling the wieght [sic] back on aren\u2019t you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe did not let it slide. He answered with a joke and corrected the spelling too.<\/p>\n

He replied: \u201cAye huge Nick!\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe then added: \u201cAlso it\u2019s spelled weight, I before E except after C.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Why X Factor star Joe McElderry chose to say more<\/h2>\n

After that exchange, Joe expanded on the issue in a longer Instagram post. He urged people to stop commenting on other people\u2019s bodies.<\/p>\n

He wrote: \u201cWhy are we still having conversations about people\u2019s bodies\u2026 from complete strangers? It\u2019s such an odd thing to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Joe said social media has mostly been positive for him over the years. Still, he acknowledged the downside.<\/p>\n

He said: \u201cI suppose you can\u2019t have all the positives of social media without some of the negatives, and I know I\u2019m very lucky to have had such a positive experience online over the years.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow, I\u2019ve managed to stay pretty level-headed through it all\u2026 NO IDEA how!\u201d<\/p>\n

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When Joe McElderry won The X Factor in 2009<\/b><\/p>\n

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Joe McElderry won the sixth series of The X Factor in 2009 at the age of 18.<\/p>\n

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  • He reached the final alongside Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon.<\/li>\n
  • He was mentored by Cheryl during the live shows.<\/li>\n
  • His winner\u2019s single was a cover of Miley Cyrus song The Climb.<\/li>\n
  • The series aired on ITV and helped launch his recording career.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

    He said the issue goes beyond one nasty message. He pointed to the effect it can have on younger people.<\/p>\n

    Joe wrote: \u201cBut I suppose the point of this post is really for the younger generation. Please stop this kind of negativity online.<\/p>\n

    \u201cComments about people\u2019s bodies can be so damaging and only create a horrible narrative across social media.\u201d<\/p>\n

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    X Factor star Joe McElderry, pictured here in March, insisted he feels the \u201cfittest I\u2019ve been in a very long time\u201d (Credit: Brett D. Cove)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    His message was bigger than one troll<\/h2>\n

    X Factor star Joe made clear he did not feel he owed anyone an explanation. Even so, he wanted to state exactly how he feels.<\/p>\n

    He wrote: \u201cFor the record, I feel the fittest I\u2019ve been in a very long time. I\u2019m happy, I\u2019m healthy, and not that I owe anyone an explanation\u2026 but as I said last week: LET PEOPLE LIVE.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He continued: \u201cI\u2019m absolutely fine! I can take it with a pinch of salt. But not everyone can, and that\u2019s why it\u2019s important we all try to create a bit more positivity online.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnyway\u2026 have a lush day, everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The comments arrived as fresh attention returned to Joe\u2019s career. He is preparing new music 17 years after winning The X Factor on ITV in 2009.<\/p>\n

    \n\"Joe
    Joe, pictured here in 2017, rose to fame on The X Factor (Credit: Ken McKay\/ITV\/Shutterstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    Joe shot to fame when he won the show at 18. He beat Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon in the final.<\/p>\n

    Since then, he has built a career in music and theatre. Joe still remains closely linked with the era that made him famous.<\/p>\n

    The Sun also reported that he has returned with a new track called Love Me Out Loud. He also plans to head back into the studio for another single.<\/p>\n

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    Joe McElderry\u2019s career after The X Factor<\/b><\/p>\n

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    • After The X Factor, Joe McElderry released music including his debut album Wide Awake.<\/li>\n
    • He later appeared in pop and musical theatre productions, building a stage career alongside his recording work.<\/li>\n
    • He won the second series of Popstar to Operastar in 2011.<\/li>\n
    • He has remained publicly associated with The X Factor era while continuing to release new material.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

      He recently said of his bond with fellow contestants from the ITV show: \u201cNobody understands what any of us went through on that show at that time, apart from us.<\/p>\n

      \u201cAlthough we\u2019re not all best friends, we are bonded in a way.\u201d<\/p>\n