O'Shaughnessy eyes up top prize

Dublin teenager Ryan O’Shaughnessy, who was eliminated from RTÉ talent contest The Voice of Ireland, is among the bookies’ favourites…

Dublin teenager Ryan O’Shaughnessy, who was eliminated from RTÉ talent contest The Voice of Ireland, is among the bookies’ favourites for tonight’s final of Britain’s Got Talent.

OShaughnessy (19), from Loughshinny in north Co Dublin, first wowed judges on the ITV talent show by singing a self-penned ballad about a secret crush.

The DIT music student, who joined the Billie Barry stage school at four, played the part of Mark Halpin in Fair City for nine years before leaving to join boy band Mission 4.

Supporters are due to gather in Ollie’s bar in Skerries tonight where barman and family friend Shane Hogan said: “We’re expecting a big crowd. I think he could win it.”

Joanne Hunt

Joanne Hunt

Joanne Hunt, a contributor to The Irish Times, writes about homes and property, lifestyle, and personal finance