'I don't think I have any relations in Ballymoney' says X-Factor winner

X-FACTOR winner Joe McElderry (RIGHT) has squashed internet rumours that he has an "uncle John McElderry from Ballymoney who sells tractors."

By The Newsroom

Published 11th Oct 2010, 12:17 BST

Updated 14th Oct 2010, 12:33 BST

It is believed Joe became the latest victim to online pranksters who hacked his Wikipedia profile and added in fictitious details about his Ballymoney connections.

During a radio interview last week, the 19-year-old singer, who performed his new single on Sunday's live X Factor results show, joked about the revelations adding: 'I don't think I have any relations in Ballymoney'.

He continued: "It's on the Wikipedia page that John McElderry is my uncle and he is a tractor seller. But I don't think he is. I've never met him before but he might be. I'll have to find out. If he is, tell him I say 'hi'."

Now last year's winner, who released his new single Ambitions yesterday (Monday), says he keeps getting asked about his Co Antrim 'relative', who sells Massey Ferguson tractors from Market Street in Ballymoney.

The page of the online encyclopaedia has now been changed.

Joe McElderry