Chris vows to win Eurovision for Waterford

EUROVISION hopeful Chris Doran has vowed not just to represent Ireland at this year’s final in Turkey.

Last night the You’re A Star winner promised his most loyal fans that he’d be bringing back the top prize to Waterford as the mother and father of all homecoming celebrations got underway in his native city.

“Up the Deise,” he said as he bounded onto a stage at Ballybricken in the city last night just before 7pm, after a half-hour trip on an open-top bus through the crowded streets.

“We’re all set for Turkey. Let’s try and bring this Eurovision back to Ireland this year,” he shouted, much to the delight of his assembled fans. “It’s absolutely overwhelming, it’s absolutely fantastic,” his proud mum Margaret said as she joined her son at the front of the bus.

And as the bus made its way towards the city garda station and towards the stage in Ballybricken, his fans were already singing the chorus to ‘If The World Stops Turning’. It may not yet be on general release, but every man, woman and child assembled among the 3,500 strong crowd knew every word.

There were chants of “We Love Chris”, “We Want Chris” throughout the city and hundreds of posters printed by his supporters in the city were everywhere.

And while entertainer Tommy Comerford and others warmed up the crowd, it was Chris Doran that the thousands had come to hear.

“It’s been a hard week, but it’s been worth it all. There’s nothing which can compare to a homecoming like this,” Chris said before he launched into a few of his favourite songs.

There was a Garth Brooks number, a presentation of a Waterford jersey to Chris, dancers and plenty of announcements about missing children.

But the biggest cheer of all was when Chris launched into his winning song.

It may not yet be on release in the charts, but among his loyal fans, it’s already number one.