Tears as wannabe ‘X Factor’ stars turned away

There were tears of disappointment in Cork yesterday where The X Factor organisers were forced to turn away a third of those who turned up to audition for the hit talent show after demand far exceeded expectations.

Some 300 wannabe pop stars turned up at the Imperial Hotel in the city centre to try their luck in the stage one auditions.

The young musicians began queuing in the rain from 4.30am and some 200 were waiting patiently to be admitted when the doors opened at 10am.

Velvin Lamont, 38, who is originally from Los Angeles and who now lives in Ballincollig, Co Cork, was among the first 100 or so brought to a ballroom where they warmed up their voices and strummed guitars as they waited their turn.

“I feel this is the only time a singer like myself gets to showcase their talent,” said Velvin, who was a contestant on The Voice of Ireland.

“I feel very confident. The goal will be to make it past the auditions to meet the celebrity judges,” said Velvin, who queued from 8am.

Some 100 or so more would-be constants were admitted at 12.30pm but there was disappointment for those waiting outside who were told the auditions were closed.

Further auditions will be held later in the week if people wanted to come back then, they were told.

“It’s ridiculous. I’ve been out in the pouring rain for two and a half hours and then they just tell us to go home,” said a tearful 16-year-old Lorraine Crowley, who had made the two-hour journey with her father Patrick from Skibbereen in West Cork.

Nadia Corridan, 22, from Kinsale, a student at Limerick School of Art and Design, said she was “disappointed” and would not be able to return midweek due to college commitments.

Meanwhile, inside the hotel, the lucky ones tried to conquer their nerves before facing the judges — a number of producers from the show.

“My stomach is in a flutter,” singer-songwriter Jennifer Lyons from Inniscarra, Co Cork said.

“I’ve no expectations. I think, go in, get the experience, learn from it and don’t take it personally if you don’t go through,” said the 26-year-old, who began gigging about 18 months ago.

Shauna Nolan, 16, a transition year student at Carrigaline Community School, was also feeling the pressure. “I am nervous, but I take that and use it as adrenaline. All I can do is my best,” she said.

Meanwhile, Mark Murphy, 20, from Mahon in Cork, had come through the other side and was celebrating getting through to the next round of auditions in Britain.

A regular busker on St Patrick St, he admitted to being “in shock”.

“I’m delighted. I was nervous. I was shaking but then I got down to it,” said MArk

A spokesman for The X Factor said there had been a “really great turn-out” in Cork. He said they could not see everybody, but would hold further auditions during the week.

“It’s just one of those things. You can never really gauge how many people will turn-up. The demand has really outstripped what we expected. We’d be encouraging them to come back,” he said.

The spokesman said the date and location had not been confirmed but it would likely be Wednesday.