X Factor winner dropped

Singer 'devastated' that his contract won't be renewed...

10:01 15 April 2011

X Factor winner Joe McElderry has been dropped from Simon Cowell's record label, it has been reported.

McElderry, who won the X Factor just 16 months ago, is said to be "devastated".

A run of poor sales is said to be the reason for the 19-year-old's contract not being renewed.

A friend of the star told reporters:

"Joe is devastated. His mum has been comforting him. He believed he could have a great music career.

"Although he is still on Syco's books, his deal runs out in about a month and it won't be renewed."

The singer, who was mentored by Cheryl Cole during his time on the show, was moved into a posh apartment in an exclusive area of West London last year.

He has now been forced to move back in with his Mum at her home in Tyneside.

Female X Factor winners have traditionally tended to do well after the show's end, with Alexandra Burke and Leona Lewis achieving huge success worldwide.

However, little has been heard from any of the previous male winners of the reality show, Steve Brookstein, Leon Jackson and Shayne Ward.