THERE'S something special about putting on that multi-coloured dreamcoat, as Joe McElderry knows all too well.

"There's an energy you get from it, and from the songs," he says. "It's 10 shows a week, so it's quite full on, but the music carries us through. This show is all about the singing, it pushes the action along."

Originally written as a schools' musical, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the vibrant re-telling of the Biblical story of Joseph, his 11 brothers and the coat of many colours, and is crammed with songs many of us grew up with, such as Close Every Door and Any Dream Will Do.

Joe plays Joseph opposite Britain’s Got Talent runner-up Lucy Kay as the Narrator in this latest production which has has had five-star reviews and standing ovations.

"It has a real nostalgic appeal; people remember performing it at school or watching it as children," says Joe, 25. "It's a great family show, but has something for many different ages.

"As Joseph, I get to bring a piece of me to the show. You have to try and make it your own. I recorded an album of the score, so I'll always be part of Joseph’s history, which is lovely."

The last time Joe was at the Alhambra he was playing "Spirit of the Mirror" in Snow White, alongside Billy Pearce. "That was one of my favourite jobs," smiles Joe. "The Alhambra is beautiful and everyone was so friendly. I can't wait to go back."

He was just 18 when he won the sixth series of The X Factor, mentored by Cheryl Cole and reaching the final with Olly Murs and Stacey Solomon. After his hit The Climb, his debut album, Wide Awake, entered the album chart in the top three and he had two more Top 10 albums.

"Everything has gone so quickly since X Factor. I have nothing but fond memories of it," says Joe, from South Shields. "I wouldn't have done all the things I've done since if it wasn't for that show, and I had some amazing experiences. I got to duet with George Michael, and we had a cup of tea and a chat. He was a legend, and a lovely man, and he's very much missed. I'll always cherish that experience."

Joe's winning streak continued when he came out top on ITV’s Popstar to Operastar, which sparked a love of classical music. "I recorded a classical crossover album, and part of my repertoire includes some of that. I used to think opera was too posh for me, but when I gave it a go I loved it," he says.

He may be treading the boards these days, but Joe is still recording, and later this year he's on the road with the Gloria Tour, named after his latest single. "It's all about balance," he says.

* Joseph is at the Alhambra from April 4-8.Call (01274) 432000.