Talented Irish TV hopeful hails his fans

Ireland’s star of Britain’s Got Talent has described getting through to tonight’s final as “surreal” and “crazy”.

The singer-songwriter won through in Thursday’s heat and promised to remain faithful to his own talent and perform another one of his own songs.

Speaking yesterday, Ryan O’Shaughnessy said he still couldn’t believe he was through to the final of one of the biggest talent shows on the planet and thanked people in Ireland for all their messages of support.

“It’s just crazy. I still don’t think it’s hit me now that I’m through to the final, never mind the semi-final. Ireland got behind me last night as well. the amount of tweets I was getting from people back home and lovely messages on Facebook as well; so I think Ireland really did get behind me.”

The former contestant on the Irish version of The Voice also said the girl who inspired his ballad ‘No Name’, which wowed the judges in his audition, would not be at the final.

“She was on to me this morning as well just to say ‘Well done again last night’. I think she was on Britain’s Got More Talent last night, she called in. I wasn’t expecting it. She’s been really good, you know. She didn’t have to,” he said.

Ryan said he was relaxed and looking forward to tonight’s final, as he wasn’t expecting to win it.

“I think for the final I’ll be more relaxed because I’m not really expecting anything. It feels amazing, it’s a bit mind-blowing. I’ve had a permanent smile on my face since my name was called as the winner of the semi-final”.

The line-up for the final will be completed tonight when the judging panel reveal which losing act has been given a wild card place.

The winner will perform at the Royal Variety Performance and get a cheque for £500,000 (€625,000).

* Britain’s Got Talent tonight on TV3 at 9pm.