BECAUSE IT’S 2018, we don’t really expect you to be 100% up to date with everything that’s going on with The X Factor. In fact, earlier in the week we launched a lengthy investigation into what exactly has made The X Factor so shit in recent years.

Even if you’re not watching this year’s X Factor, you might still be interested in Ireland’s most successful entry in the competition, 22-year-old Brendan Murray. From Tuam in Galway, Brendan represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2017 when the competition was held in Kiev. 

Before heading to Eurovision, Murray had been in an boyband called Hometown, which was put together by Louis Walsh in 2014. Hometown split up in 2016 and they went their separate ways, with Brendan heading to Eurovision where he performed the song ‘Dying to Try’. 

Unfortunately, Brendan didn’t make it into the final of Eurovision as he placed 13th out of 18 (you need to finish in the top ten to make it into the final). After Eurovision, Brendan returned to Galway where he began working as a plumber until The X Factor auditions opened up. What made him audition for X Factor? Why, Conor McGregor, of course. 

Really though, Brendan told The Irish Sun that there’s loads of Irish men killing it internationally, but Conor McGregor is his main inspriation.

Niall Horan is doing fantastically well. Hozier as well is a great representative for Irish music – but for flying the flag for Ireland, no one beats Conor McGregor. 

*looks at camera like Jim from The Office*

I love everything about Conor, he’s humble and he’s loyal. I think everyone could take a page out of his book. 

Well, one thing we’ve established about Brendan is that he’s not 100% clear on the definition of the word ‘humble’, but look, whatever works for him.

Brendan’s X Factor audition got off to a bit of a shaky start when Simon Cowell stopped him mid-performance and asked him to stop singing We Don’t Have To Take Our Clothes Off  and instead requested Brendan’s backup song. Brendan then impressed judges with his take of Kate Bush’s song This Woman’s Work. 

Since auditions, Brendan has been going from strength to strength receiving praise from not just the judges, but Chic’s Nile Rodgers, who described Brendan’s voice as “magical”. Needless to say, Brendan’s very pleased that he made it to the semi finals.  

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