Joe McElderry has given a frank account of his feelings during the difficult period involving a stalker. The X-Factor winner was scared in his own home, reports British tabloid The Sun.

Ennis MCBride was convicted of harassment and handed a restraining order after South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard that he turned up at MCElderry’s house on more than numerous occasions and sent him abusive tweets. It was on Christmas Eve, 2011, when Ms Joyce (Joe’s mum) saw MCBride in a supermarket, and he was arrested. “My mum rang and said the stalker is back and he’s in Asda. She sounded really upset but she was more concerned where I was and if I was with anyone,” explained MCElderry. “After that I went and locked the door. We spent the evening writing out our statement when suddenly a police van pulled up and he was put into the van. I felt intimidated that someone would be standing in the dark outside my house and scared because it was Christmas Eve and it was the last thing I wanted to think about.”

Winning the 2009 edition of The X-Factor shot MCElderry to fame, and whilst the singer realises his fame will lead to admirers, he would still like a semblance of a normal life. “I understand that I’m on the public platform and I appreciate the support I get but I don’t think I should be made to feel unsafe in my own home."