Joe McElderry has hit back at body-shaming trolls with a shirtless selfie.
The X Factor winner, 34, shared a snap of himself and urged his followers to ‘never let the keyboard warriors get ya down’ as he addressed hateful comments about his body.
Joe McElderry told fans: ‘Woke up this morning to a comment saying I’m “like a house end” (for those not from the North… that’s basically calling me fat (laughing emoji).
‘Honestly, social media is wild isn’t it?! The things people think they can say about other people.
‘So, I did what any self-respecting person would do… threw on my sparkly sequin trousers, said “f the haters,” and went off to finish a pretty much sold out tour ✨ Yeeeehaaaaaa baby!
‘Honestly, we’ve normalised saying horrible things and doing horrible things to each other — it’s not normal to behave that way! So this is just a reminder to never let the keyboard warriors get ya down (laughing emojis).’
Fans flooded the comments to praise the star’s empowering message.
One wrote: ‘Well said Joe! Honestly unbelievable how people think it is ok to be so rude on social media! Ps you look fantastic & I love that sassy attitude! Keep sparkling hun!’
‘You look amazing! So aside from being completely untrue, comments like that say a lot more about those who make them them than the subject (and it often stems from jealousy) – so your response is (kiss emoji) xx.’
‘Spot on response Joe. Think they need to go to Soecsavers as you look fabulous That person can only dream of being loved a fraction of what you are. !! ❤️❤️❤️. Jealousy is a dreadful disease!’
Joe McElderry starred on X Factor when he was just 18 years old back in 2009, beating Stacey Solomon and Olly Murs to the crown.
Joe now looks worlds away from the baby-faced teenager who won the competition with his rendition of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb.
To get in shape to perform in Joseph And His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat in 2017, the singer trained with former Miss Universe finalist Caroline Dixon and followed a strict diet.
Previously speaking in an interview with Fabulous magazine, he said: ‘Most of the stuff we do is killer, but in a weird way I really enjoy it.’
He added: ‘I’m a really active person and I’ve done lots of charity bike rides.’
‘It’s a massive part of my life and I think it’s a necessary part of my life for stamina when I’m on stage.’
Joe McElderry also reminisced about his time on the show which catapulted him to fame.
He said: ‘Every time I see that clip, I feel so old, I look so young on there!’,
Joe’s debut single – a cover of Miley Cyrus’ The Climb – rose to number one in the UK charts immediately after his X Factor triumph.
The talent show star boasts a discography of five albums, all making the top 20.