X Factor winner Joe McElderry is embarking upon another big singing television show – he’s signed on the dotted line to appear on ITV1′s Popstar to Operastar.
In what will be considered a poignant end to his short lived pop career, Joe will appear alongside a load of other former pop vocalists on the show that aims to train pop singers into becoming opera tenors or sopranos.
Joe’s the first big signing for the show, hosted by Myleene Klass and Alan Titchmarsh, which I hear will also feature A-Ha legend Morten Harket when it returns to our screens later in the year.
But from what I hear Joe is truly excited about the opportunity to appear on the show. My perfectly placed source reveals: “Joe loves to sing – he’s not bothered about what people will say.
“He’s a person with a talent and he will proper from doing a show like this. He’s incredibly talented and thinks he could open up a whole new chapter from appearing on the show. He’s always loved the West End and thrill of performing live – it’s when he’s at his best. So Popstar to Operastar is a great opportunity for him to begin a new journey in his career.”
But it’s not just his professional life that Geordie Joe is getting sorted in – he’s making a nest for himself and investing some of his X Factor winnings into property.
I’m told Joe, who’s deal with Simon Cowell’s Syco record company will lapse soon and fail to be renewed, has just completed on a plush flat in Newcastle and he’s also property hunting for a London bolthole for when he’s down south working. My source adds: “Considering the deal with Syco has just fizzled out, Joe’s in a great place right now.
“He’s investing his money wisely and making sure he has something to show for all of his hard work. Popstar to Operastar will give him a nice cheque for being involved and he’s making sure he’s comfortable with his money. He’s been living with his mum for a while because his rent at his London flat was huge and it was like throwing his money down the drain. It was a wise move to move back in with his mum and save some cash.”
I actually think Joe will do incredibly well from Popstar to Operastar. The guy can sing live, is genuinely a lovely person and is talented. Good luck to him.

Robert Pattinson is preparing to say goodbye to the role that made his name playing Edward Cullen in Twilight’s Breaking Dawn. And it sounds like the latest films have affected both him and girlfriend Kristen Stewart. R-Patz tells me: “Breaking Dawn has been the most emotional ride for me and Kristen, getting married, having a baby. I mean, the birth scenes were pretty traumatic. We both got pretty upset doing them.”
And Rob can’t wait to get his tan on now that the film has wrapped! “I owe these films everything and its been amazing doing them, but it will also be good to say goodbye,” he added. “I wanna get a tan, show people there is more to me than Edward the vampire! It’s nice to see myself looking healthy for once, pale skin and red eyes is not a good look for me.”

Reese Witherspoon has such a hard life. Kissing Hollywood actors for a living. In Water For Elephants she snogs the face off R-Patz and reveals he’s a good kisser! Reese said: “I can confirm he’s a good kisser, very gentle! You gotta remember there was about a hundred crew members there too though. So it’s not very romantic.”
The blonde actress says thanks to the circus training she went through for the role she’s in the best shape of her life…for now. “I think I was in the best shape I’ve ever been in doing this film – which is why I agreed to wear a leotard throughout. My costumes are pretty tiny in this movie so I don’t think I’ll do that again.” If you’ve got it, flaunt it.

This week’s Esquire magazine re-launch was definitely my party of the week. Held at Sketch it was jam packed with celebs. Lily Allen and hubby-to-be Sam Cooper spent  the night holding court in a corner table, Abbey Clancy came running up to me showing off her post-baby body and said: “I told you I’d have my bikini body back instantly.” and gave me a twirl and Mollie King from the Saturdays showed off new boy toy David Gandy. The blonde certainly seems quite smitten. Mollie told me: “He’s definitely a keeper. Things are going great and he’s a true gentleman.” That he is, Mols.

Above: Hairdresser James Brown and dishy George Lamb stop for a chat!

Meanwhile, 90210 star Jessica Lowndes showed off her amazing body and great style – but revealed she has to work for it. She told me at this week’s Esquire bash: “I love running and yoga. I actually went for a run in Regent’s Park today which was really fun. When I’m not doing events I wear minimal make-up and always drink lots of water. I drink probably more water than I should but that’s my thing and it definitely helps. My style is like Audrey Hepburn with a modern edge – feminine, chic and I like to edge it up. The shopping is getting out of hand and I may have to buy another suitcase to take it all back.”

Pictures with thanks: Dave. M. Bennett

*So I went to my first N-Dubz concert last weekend. Admittedly I’ve not been kind about the threesome in the past. But I’m entitled to change my mind. I finally get it! They were awesome live. Tulisa is in a league of her own singing live, Fazer looks fit and Dappy is a great rapper and a decent guy. He came up to me after and nervously said: “Did you like it, tell me you liked it?” Well I did. A lot. N-Dubz are amazing. Who the hell knew…..

*Lucie Silvas is one amazing vocalist. And I’m so excited about her new album. Amazingly  the Breath In star is yet to find a label to release the new album. I’ve heard three tracks off of the new record and she’s on fire. Reset is the perfect ballad, Roots is an up tempo dream and Letters to Ghosts has already been snapped up as the music for Garnier adverts for two years. Great to have Lucie back – now give this girl a record deal!

*I’m always looking for the hot new way to get fit and healthy these days – I’ve even entered the Virgin Active London Triathlon. So I popped by the latest craze to stay super toned ‘Bodyism’ this week – and I was impressed. The company look at her diet, health and fitness and give you a right good work out. Elle Macpherson and X-Men Origins star Zoe Kravitz are both huge fans. Check www.bodyism.com.

*Sun comes out and the clothes came off at Mark Herman’s swanky Shoreditch House Pool Disco last weekend. I popped along to mingle with the likes of Matt Cardle, Lisa Snowdon and Shingai Shoniwa from the Noisettes for the Studio 54 style party. Trust me we lifted the roof off east London. The next Pool Disco is May 29.

*Like a flowery shirt? Well I blooming do. A new company Frangipani (check out the shirts above), run by DJ to the stars Numa Heathcote and India Langton, is taking the fashion world by storm. Lightweight Indian fabrics with beautiful prints are being adorned on the back of male stars everywhere. So far Sting, Ian Wright, James Blunt and Bruce Parry are all wearing them. I’ll be wearing mine at Cannes next week to bring you all the gossip from the French Riviera.

Terry Ronald held a glittering soiree this week for the launch of his fantastic new novel Becoming Nancy. Dannii Minogue turned heads looking tres chic in a Herve Leger dress. She’s on great form actually. All the judges are yet to fully sign for this year’s X Factor – but Dannii’s positive she will return after negotiations. She’s also thinking of adding to her brood from the sounds of it. Asked if she wants to have another baby she smiled coyly and said: “Probably will, yes. That’s definitely on the cards.” Also at the bash was Dermot O’Leary and funny lady Kathy Lette. Definitely check out Becoming Nancy – it makes for perfect summer holiday reading!

I’ve been a big fan of William Baker’s work over the years. His vision has shaped the career of Kylie Minogue ever since he put her in THOSE gold hotpants. And he’s a great chap in real life. I caught up with Will at Terry Ronald’s Becoming Nancy book launch this week and he told me Kylie and him have a habit of sneaking into other theatre shows undercover. “We went to watch Joan Collins in panto last year and it was the most amazing show,” he told me. “We’re both huge Joanie fans and we met her afterwards. Kylie was shaking she was so nervous about meeting her. She’s a legend to us.”
Will also says the Pop Princess has effectively banned him from joining twitter as he’s too rude. “Kylie’s banned me from twitter,” he revealed. “She says I’m a liability and I’d be too rude – which is true. There are lots of people pretending to be me which is weird. I don’t do twitter or facebook.”

Kerry Katona is fully ready to make her pop chart comeback with trashy techno douche Basshunter.
Yes, you heard me correctly. The former Atomic Kitten singer and I’m A Celebrity winner has been hatching plans over the past few weeks to team up as the female vocalist on a new track – aptly named You’re Not Alone – with the club king that found household fame after appearing in Celebrity Big Brother last year.
What could possibly go wrong, I hear you cry!
I happen to have heard the track in question and I have to say it could be a big hit in Europe for sure. I’m not going to lie though – it is a throwback to the days of techno and far more suited to the trashy pop charts of Europe rather than the UK.
The lyrics are definitely very apt for mum-of-four Kerry – who’s been through two divorces, rehab on countless occasions and overcome a her drug problem as well as her well publicised bipolar disorder. If the deal is signed then Kerry will sing the lyrics: “It’s going round and take each day by day. You’re not alone, you’re not alone, you’re not alone, nothing can go wrong.
“No matter where my life will take I will be just around the corner baby. Just around the corner.” Compelling stuff, I’m sure you’ll agree.
And my source says Jonas Altberg aka Basshunter has high hopes for the duet and says he’s days away from signing the deal. “Jonas is fully behind this song and Kerry being involved and for it to be a huge hit,” says my source. “He thinks it could be the 2011 version of David Guetta and Kelly Rowland’s hit When Love Takes Over. Kerry’s really excited and actually thinks this could be her big break back into music and performing. She’s had a lot of offers in and has been working out what she wants to do.
“She’s determined to make things happen with a rejuvenated singing career – and this is just the beginning for Kerry. She knows she’s not the greatest singer in the world – but she’s determined.”
The former face of Iceland said recently: “Career-wise, because you get your hopes up and then get let down, you’re best off just taking it easy. But there’s definitely music in the pipeline and acting. But nothing I can confirm right now. Lots of offers have come in, I’m just deciding which one to do.”
Good luck to Kerry – I think she’s going to need it…..

Jennifer Hudson is one serious live vocalist. The Oscar winner killed it performing tracks from her new album I Remember Me this week at the Ivy Club. I stood with the likes of Paloma Faith, Lisa Snowdon, Keisha Buchanan, Richard Arnold and Erin O’Connor and we all agreed she was ridiculously terrific on stage. She even belted out the Dreamgirls anthem And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going. A real moment….
I met the singer and actress after her four song set and she told me she was thrilled to perform in the UK. “There is just such an amazing buzz in the UK about my music and I love that,” she said. “I’m most proud of this album and I love singing live. Performing in a small venue like this was crazy good.”
The star has just finished playing Winnie Mandela in the film of Nelson Mandela’s life and early signs say Jen could bag her second Oscar for this role. She said: “I just don’t feel pressure when people start talking Oscars. That’s so far away. But I am proud of the new film. If I’m honest Dreamgirls was a dream role, playing Winnie Mandela has been an emotionally draining role from start to finish. My ultimate role would be playing the queen of soul Aretha Franklin. That’s what I’d truly love to do. It would be a once in a lifetime opportunity – but we’ll see what happens.” That would be epic!

Lock up your men, girls. Paloma Faith is on the prowl! The star has split up with her long-term love, and fellow singer, Josh Weller. But she’s from the sounds of it she’s replaced him with several more!
“I’ve just split up with my boy so I’m free, single and ready to mingle! I’m not looking for a new boyfriend as I’m just enjoying taking a few lovers.” Paloma laughs. “My assistant calls them ‘sex deliveries’. I’m a serial monogamist and the longest time I’m had between relationships since I was 13 years old has been six months. I’m trying my best but it’s proving very difficult for me as I fall in love very quickly. My mum keeps questioning me about who I am texting!”

Paloma Faith is helping Tia Maria find the face of their new ad campaign. For more info and to enter the ‘Behind the Mask’ competition go to www.facebook.com/tiamariadrink

Meanwhile….this week I spied Harry Potter star Rupert Grint, AKA Ron Weasley, looking very much the happy couple and holding hands with Angus Thongs and Perfect Snogging actress Georgia Groome at The Wheelbarrow pub in Camden on Thursday evening. The  pair were out in public at One Night Only frontman George Craig’s new LAD clubnight that saw Rupes’ Harry Potter colleague Bonnie Wright pitch up to support her fiance Jamie Bower. Keen to remain incognito, Rupert hid his signature ginger locks underneath a black hoody, even on the dancefloor, but the odd look made him stand out even more. Good to see him settling down…..

And finally….weird fledgling relationship alert. Calvin Harris is dating Tina Barrett from S Club 7. Yep, you read that correctly. The pair were spotted happily flirting in a corner at the Hoxton Bar and Kitchen last Thursday. My source tells me: “They’ve been hooking up for the past few weeks and Calvin’s friends are finding it amusing how into her he is. They looked really cute together at the restaurant. Calvin was trying to be a typical lad and not arsed but he was secretly very excited. They left holding hands.” Beyond random – but good luck to them!