Hopefuls queue to hear ‘you’re a star’

“THEY seem to be looking for another Mickey Joe,” cried one young woman after being rejected at auditions for You’re A Star.

“I didn’t get through. Everyone with a guitar seemed to get through.”

She was one of many disappointed hopefuls rejected in Waterford City yesterday where auditions for the show took place in Garter Lane Arts Centre.

For all the agony, there was ecstasy in equal measure. Around 70 contestants have been called back this morning, where the eight to go forward to the national final will be chosen.

Aine Cosgrave, 16, from Ballygarrett, Gorey, in Wexford said: “I sang Killing Me Softly for them. They stopped me ever before I even got going and asked me to come back tomorrow.

“I’ve never entered anything like this in my life.

“I’m thrilled.”

Corkman Colin Melsop is no stranger to being put through the ringer by the You’re A Star judging panel. He made it to the last eight in Cork last year.

Pop maestro Louis Walsh, Linda Martin and Phil Coulter were not at yesterday’s opening day of auditions. But Mellsop, from Carrigaline, wasn’t put off and impressed the three-person production panel. He’ll be singing for the three TV judges this morning.

“I sang ‘When I Fall in Love’ for them. But after I sang it, they asked me to sing the same song I did last year. That was George Michael’s I Can’t Make You Love Me.

They said that song suited me better. I’m thrilled to get through again and hope to get even further this time round,” said the first year Business Studies student at CIT.

Deirdre Flanagan, 18, and her 19-year-old friend, Martha Mernagh, both from Tramore in Waterford, also entered.

Deirdre said: “I’m planning to sing Here With Me by Dido. If they want a second song from me, I’m going to be stumped. I don’t really have a back-up. Maybe I’ll choose ‘How do I live without you’. I’ve no major experience of singing, but said I’d give this a shot in any case.”

Martha said: I’ve had my voice trained and have done a few shows and said I’d give this a shot. I watched You’re a Star last year and voted for Lisa. I’m hoping that a girl will win the competition this year.”

You’re A Star presenter Ray D’Arcy said: “There’s a real buzz here today. It’s the biggest crowd we’ve seen so far. We’ve had a great turn-out in Longford, Ennis and Letterkenny and finish up in Dublin on October 19 and 20. They’ll be the biggest auditions.”

The show starts on TV on November 16 and Waterford footage will be screened in the fifth programme.