Talented Jessie still in race for TV stardom

A KERRY teenager, who has charmed millions of BBC viewers in recent weeks, continues her quest for stardom tomorrow night.

Killarney girl Jessie Buckley is enjoying a spectacular rollercoaster ride on the talent search show, I’d Do Anything.

The 18-year-old is one of the seven remaining candidates for the role of Nancy in the West End musical Oliver.

It will be her fifth live BBC appearance.

Her supporters are confident she will advance further in the competition.

“She’ll be singing a Barbara Streisand song, and says herself it’s the best song she’s got so far. We’re expecting her to do well,” said a family friend.

Jessie, daughter of hotelier Tim Buckley and harpist/soprano Marina Cassidy, has been living her dream full-time in London since early February.

She’s working for about six-and-a-half days per week on the show and gaining invaluable experience at a high level in the entertainment world.

The family have been regularly travelling over for the weekend shows.

It’s been a phenomenal journey for her and she’s working with the best people in the business in Britain.

Jessie’s achievement in getting so far in the contest is all the more remarkable as people in Ireland cannot vote for her.

Her supporters have appealed to anyone with connections in Britain to ask them to vote for Jessie.

Members of Muckross Rowing Club, Killarney, in England this week for a regatta, have festooned their bus with posters urging support for Jessie.

Meanwhile, the bookies have installed Jessie as 5/2 second favourite to win the contest with Belfast girl Rachel Tucker the 13/8 favourite.