Law student Lee to perform for TV judge Louis Walsh

A YOUNG man from Newcestown stars in the first episode of the new series of Ireland’s Got Talent, which starts this Saturday. 

Lee O’Donovan, 22, is studying Law International at UCC but enjoys singing and playing guitar, as well as GAA, in his spare time. 

He said he took part in the talent show, which features music mogul Louis Walsh as  a judge, as he was curious to hear what the judges would say about him. While he didn’t make it through to the live show, he said it was a ‘very cool experience.’

Lee’s musical influences are Paolo Nutini, Bob Dylan, Mac DeMarco, George Ezra and Damien Rice.  Viewers will see him perform Paulo Nutini’s Candy on Saturday night. 

But he says his personal influeces are his parents: ‘Both my father and mother left school early to go working. They have worked extremely hard all their lives and succeeded in putting all three of us through college and giving us opportunities they never had themselves.’

Lee’s mum is a singer and a guitar player and has played in church choirs and at weddings and his brother is also a singer and a guitar player.

As well as Louis Walsh, the judges are Jason Byrne, Michelle Visage and Denise Van Outen.

The show starts on Virgin Media at 7.30pm on Saturday night.