Popstar To Operastar winner Joe McElderry will be relaunching his music career thanks to his X Factor mentor Cheryl Cole.
Joe, winner of The X Factor 2009, was dropped from Simon Cowell's Syco label after just one album, but after a gentle nudge from Cheryl, he's been signed up to her label Universal.
'Joe is thrilled,' says a source. 'It looked like he was on the scrapheap but Cheryl has come to his rescue and put in a word reminding bosses what a big talent he is.'
Cheryl fell out with Simon, 51, after she was axed from his launch of US X Factor in May.
Universal - who've signed Joe up to their classical label Decca - is Syco's main rival.
'Joe and Cheryl have always had a bond and they keep in touch,' the source tells The Sun.
'They both know what it's like to be ditched by Simon Cowell but are determined to make it on their own and show him what they're capable of.'
Universal said today: 'Joe is ready for the next stage in his musical career.'
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Esme Riley
