Aldridge wins TV charity special

Former Republic of Ireland soccer star John Aldridge won this year’s You’re A Star charity special tonight, raising thousands of euro for Temple Street Children’s Hospital.

Presenter Derek Mooney said a staggering number of votes had been sent in to the television talent competition to ensure Aldridge, who sang Johnny Cash’s Ring Of Fire, beat Ros na Rún actress Áine Ní Dhroighneáin, who was raising money for Cancer Care West.

“I’m lost for words,” the former Liverpool striker, who was raising funds for the Dublin hospital, said.

“I do thank every single person who has voted for every charity. You know it is very important even now when this show is finished that people keep on working behind the scenes and helping with donations and whatever you can give to these people.

"Please, please do because it is never-ending. It is so so hard for them, but thanks to everyone. It has been a rollercoaster ride.”

Aldridge, who admitted singing live in front of the cameras was the hardest thing he had done, continued to attract the majority of the votes despite his lack of singing talent earning him plenty of comments from the judges: Brendan O’Connor, Linda Martin and Louis Walsh.

Last year, more than €300,000 was raised in total, with Fair City’s David Mitchell, who was also raising money for Temple Street Children’s Hospital, winning the contest on RTÉ One television.

Others who took part in this series include RTÉ presenter Kathryn Thomas; model Gail Kaneswaren; Louis Copeland and soccer manager Roddy Collins; TG4 weatherman Daithí Ó Sé; Fair City’s Una Crawford-O’Brien and Bryan Murray; RTÉ sports commentator Shane O’Donoghue; politicians Billy Kelleher, Senator Frank Feighan, Dan Boyle TD and Senator Michael McCarthy, and Fair City's Maclean Burke.