Joe McElderry has no regrets about being on X Factor

Joe McElderry has told Newsbeat he has no regrets about being on X Factor.

The 20-year-old won the reality show in 2009, but was dropped by Simon Cowell's Syco label in April 2011.

"I don't feel like I've got anything to be bitter about, I'm proud of what I've achieved - I would do it all again, I had an absolute blast," he said.

McElderry, who recently won ITV's Popstar To Operastar show, will release his second album in the UK on 22 August.

And despite having to find a new label just 16 months after his X Factor victory he said the show was "the ideal platform" for anyone who loves performing.

'Instant success'

"When you go into X Factor, and when you audition, you can't go into it expecting to be an overnight superstar.

"You've got to work and that's what I've been doing for the past couple of months and in the past couple of years.

"I don't expect to be an instant success with every single that I do," he said.

He added that he had tried to stay positive even after being dropped by Syco.

"I thought it was kind of the right time, as much as I was disappointed.

"You're not going to be running away from the meeting smiling, I was very positive about it and I thought it's time now to go out and fend for myself.

"I'm not really in a bad position for someone of 20 years of age, I've achieved quite a bit," he said.

The South Shields singer revealed he keeps in touch with his X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole, adding that this year's X Factor wouldn't be the same without her.

But he said he thought the new judging panel of Gary Barlow, Kelly Rowland, and Louis Walsh was "really credible".

"I think Cheryl will be hugely missed, as is Dannii. But [the line-up] is fresh, it's going to totally change the dynamic of the show.

"It only gets bigger and better every year," he said.