Joe McElderry: 'Popstar to Operastar is very strange'

Joe McElderry has admitted that he is "completely out of [his] comfort zone" on Popstar to Operastar.

The X Factor 2009 winner will compete in the new series of the show alongside Erasure's Andy Bell, Midge Ure, Jocelyn Brown and Melody Thornton.

"It's good fun, but all very strange and different from what I'm used to," McElderry told What's On TV. "I'm completely out of my comfort zone as I'm learning a different way of singing and performing. I've definitely thrown myself in at the deep end!

"Trying to speak another language is one thing - but trying to sing it is really another. I'm given English translations of the songs so I know what I'm singing about, but I only pretend to read them as I don't want to complicate the process any more than necessary!"

McElderry added that he hopes he can "pull it off" and admitted he misses "the thrill of performing on a live show every week".

"I know I can deal with pressure, but whether I'm going to enjoy singing opera on a live show is another thing! As for criticism from judges - I'm used to that too, so hopefully it should be okay. Our mentors Katherine Jenkins and Rolando Villazon are really understanding of the pressures we're under," he said.

McElderry also confirmed that he is still in contact with his X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole.

"I spoke to her about a week ago," he said. "I'm sure if she's in the country she's going to tune in!"

> Joe McElderry: 'X Factor makes Operastar easy'