Starry-eyed pop hopefuls on cue
More than 5,000 people took part in auditions at venues around the country when the talent-spotting show was first launched last year and became an instant hit with TV viewers, especially younger ones.
Now its makers, Screentime ShinAwil, expects a doubling in the number of contestants when auditions are held over the next two months for a second series. The show will again take the headline slot on RTÉ every Sunday night for 18 weeks, commencing on November 18 with a look back on last year's winner Mickey Harte. Screentime ShinAwil managing director Larry Bass said You're A Star was an unknown brand name when it was launched last year. Now people were well aware of what it was all about.
"With Mickey Harte winning the series last year people will realise that it is not just a vehicle for finding pop stars. Yes, Mickey is a pop star, but he is also a credible singer/songwriter."
Mr Bass said the format for this year's show was slightly different. Last year, auditions for the show were held in nine locations, this year they had been reduced to five.
Also, instead of just having one person going through from each location, there will be two.
The series will initially focus on the various audition venues around the country with a look-back at Mickey Harte's rise to fame. Viewers will also be introduced to the new three-member judging panel Phil Coulter, Louis Walsh and Linda Martin. Ray D'Arcy is all set to be master of ceremonies again.
In January, the first of live shows will be broadcast from The Helix in Dublin, with the show moving from a theatre within the complex to the expansive O'Mahony Hall.
Mr Walsh promises to be perfectly honest in telling hopefuls what he thinks of their talent.
Linda Martin said she knew what it took to win the Eurovision Song Contest. "I will be sympathetic with the contestants but I am not going to give false hope."
