Singer Joe McElderry has said that he believes his experience performing live on The X Factor in 2009 will help make performing for the Operstar judges easier.

He told The Sun: “I’m alright with performing in front of Rolando and Katherine now. I’m used to being in front of high profile people after the X Factor, so that makes it a bit easier.

“I’ve also been in the environment of having to learn a song quickly and performing it.”

Meanwhile former Steps star Claire Richards said she hopes the show will make her son Charlie proud. She told the tabloid: “When you ask Charlie what Mummy does for a job he says she changes nappies! I don’t want him to think that’s all I do. This show is perfect.”

Other stars in this year’s Popstar to Operstar include Cheryl Baker and former Pussycat Doll Melody Thornton.

Melody said: “Singing has so much more to do with performing than it does singing. I think performance is a strong asset of my mine.”