The X Factor winner Joe McElderry has announced he will be performing at the Hazlitt Theatre in Maidstone next year.

Tickets went on sale this morning and are expected to be snapped up for the appearance at the Earl Street venue on March 8, 2015.

It is part of a 60-date tour, which is the longest UK tour for any X Factor winner, after his Set Your Soul Alive tour.

Joe said: “Performing live is my main passion and as soon as I finished my tour this year I was desperate to get back on the road again.

"I purposefully wanted to take the show to every corner of the country giving as many fans and music lovers the opportunity to see my acoustic show locally where perhaps they normally wouldn’t, I hope Maidstone is ready!”

Joe won the ITV show in 2009 after which he stormed the charts with a number one single The Climb and top 10 album Wide Awake.

He then followed that by winning ITV’s Popstar To Operastar, before signing a new record deal with Universal’s Decca. He has also more recently appeared on Channel 4’s skiing show The Jump and is now back in the studio working on his fifth album release.

Hazlitt audiences will see him perform hits acoustically from his pop and classical repertoire as well as songs from his journey with the X Factor and career so far.

He added: “I’m extremely fortunate to be getting on the road again doing what I love best, and I look forward to seeing everyone in Maidstone.”

Tickets cost £16 with VIP meet and greet packages £75. You can call in to the box office in Earl Street, call 01622 758611 or visit www.hazlitttheatre.com