MARY BYRNE survived another week on ITV's X Factordespite resorting to a song she had previously performed on the show.
The 50-year-old check-out worker from Ballyfermot broke down in tears during rehearsals on Thursday when she struggled to learn the song chosen for her by the show's producers. Byrne was unhappy with the selection of Ain't No Mountain High Enough, originally a hit for Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell, as she believed it did not suit her voice.
Louis Walsh, her mentor on the programme, convinced the other judges to allow Byrne to sing I (Who Have Nothing), the Shirley Bassey cover that originally earned her a place in the finals.
Byrne is one of 11 candidates remaining in the competition, having been voted into the next round by viewers last night.
However, on Saturday the Dubliner was warned by the show’s panel of judges that in future she would have to sing something more contemporary to improve her chances of survival.
“You can’t come out every week and do pretty much the same song,” said Simon Cowell. Byrne responded to the criticism by saying: “This is the style of singing I’ve always done and it’s the style of singing I want to do.”
X Factor'sother Irish contestants were also voted into the next round. Tallaght's Rebecca Creighton and her all-girl group Belle Amie and boyband 1 Direction, featuring 17-year-old Niall Horan from Mullingar, also avoided elimination.