With no vote coming from the Republic of Ireland, young Cillian O’Connor delivered yet another sensational performance on Sunday’s final of Britain’s Got Talent.
The fourteen-year-old from Donacarney, East Meath got a standing ovation after his compelling performance in Friday night’s semi-final. Both the judges and the audience were amazed by his incredible magic delivery.
The Meath youth who lives only 20 minutes from Balbriggan in North Co Dublin has both Autism and Dyspraxia and despite having no voting support from the south of Ireland, he still finished in the top three acts in the BGT final!
On Sunday night, Cillian opened his performance with a card trick, which later ended with him correctly predicting what judge Simon Cowell was going to select from the pack of cards! He also correctly anticipated a ‘magic’ word Cowell had chosen in the semi-final, stunning the live audience and the bemused judging panel.
But no one anticipated his final gesture – he simply made presenter Ant disappear on stage, right before the audience! Co-presenter Dec quipped: “I wish I could do that!”
Head judge Simon Cowell was absolutely gob-smacked and said “I’m running out of adjectives to describe you. I just think you have magic powers …” Cowell stated he loved to see the youngster’s excitement on stage after his successful performances… and “how happy you are, it’s gone so well.” He further praised the youth on how professional and unnerved he appeared on all his BGT’s performances.
Former Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli said: “You are the embodiment of magic – you control the stage – everything you do is magic!”
Similarly, judges Alisha Dixon and Amanda Holden said the Meath youth “had smashed it…your showmanship is magic… you are incredible!”
And incredible he was, securing 11.3 per cent of the public vote, despite not securing a single vote from his native country!
Eleven acts competed for the lucrative prize on Sunday night but it was comic dancer, Norwegian Viggo Venn who, having secured 22.5 per cent of the vote, was crowned the champion.
Venn won an impressive £250k winning pot and will appear at the next Royal Variety Performance as well as bagging the £250,000 prize pot. Teenage Lillianna Clifton from Liverpool, an amazing dancer, came in second place in the final, ahead of Meath’s Cillian.
So, what lies ahead for the talented youngster? Already, Brian May of Queen has invited the young magician to join him at a concert. Simon Cowell has promoted many a career of runners-up and finalists in BGT over the year, Susan Boyle among them.
Could we have witnessed a star in the making on Sunday night? Cillian O’Connor only 14 years old from Donacarney – watch this space! Feature photo Britain’s Got Talent on Instagram
