Joe McElderry to announce shock retirement from music?

  • By Smith Alexander
  • London
  • Last updated on

The X Factor 2009 winner created a stir on Friday when rumors have surfaced that his career was over.
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Sad news for McElderry fans. Speculation had been rife that the winner of The X Factor 2009 will announce his retirement from music, at age 34, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 10/01/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being a singer isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being a singer-songwriter just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouJoe

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouJoe was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“You’ve accomplished everything I ever dreamed of #ThankYouJoe.”
— @DesireePlum, 9 Jan 2026
“McElderry wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 9 Jan 2026

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