X-Factor winner Joe McElderry has pledged his support to the NHS by agreeing to perform at a special show to say thank you to all frontline workers.

The Tyne Theatre & Opera House in Newcastle will be hosting the finale to a series of national events supporting the forthcoming NHS Social Care and Frontline Workers Day on July 5.

Musical theatre star and number one artist, McElderry has announced that he will appear at the special live streamed show where he will perform a number of songs from his repertoire to say thank you to the NHS workers.

The South Shields born star shot to fame in 2009 when he won X-Factor and has gone on to release five studio albums and landed lead stage roles in Tommy and Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat.

He he is looking forward to the event and the chance to say thank you to everyone who helped in the fight against Covid.

He said: “I’ve got family members who are nurses and before I became a singer I was fascinated by medicine and wanted to be a paramedic. The NHS is free at the point of access and we are all very lucky to have that.

"Now more than ever we realise what a savour it is and that’s one of the reasons why I want to say thank you to every front-line worker for their hard work.

“The NHS heroes deserve some light entertainment as it’s been incredibly hard for them and I’m really excited to be able to bring a bit of fun and happiness to everyone,” said Joe.

Joe will be joined by several other soon to be announced well-known local and national stars across the live programme and through pre-recorded messages of support.

As well as an online audience, it is hoped that the theatre will be filled with representatives from the NHS Foundation Trust, North East Ambulance Service, Great North Air Ambulance Service, Northumbria Blood Bikes, key workers and their families who will be invited as a small token of appreciation for their hard work and dedication.

The event is being sponsored and supported by Northumberland Freemasons and the United Grand Lodge of England.

The live-streamed event is free to watch, but donations are welcomed and will go towards helping NHS-related charities.

Formore information visit www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk