Liam’s got talent

Singing sensation tipped for glory on hit ITV show

THE proud dad of “Britain’s Got Talent” singing sensation has described his rise to fame.

Liam McNally (14) was tipped as a contender to win this year’s talent show, and perform in front of the Queen, after wowing millions of viewers on ITV on Sunday.

The shy schoolboy and his family are now nervously awaiting tomorrow’s show when they will find out if he’s through to the next round.

Dad William McNally, from Failsworth, says the whole community has got behind the St Matthew’s School pupil.

He’s run McNally’s Newsagents, Moston Lane East, New Moston — on the Chadderton border — for the last six years, which Liam lives near with his mum Paula.

Speaking before his audition of “Danny Boy”, Liam told the TV audience he wasn’t used to performing in front of such a large crowd and usually just sang in his bedroom.

The unassuming teen added: “I’ve always wanted to sing on the Royal Variety Performance. When my mum and dad tell me I’m a good singer it’s good, but if the judges were to say it, it would make me believe my dream.”

The show’s judges were all impressed, though Simon Cowell kept Liam in suspense with a dramatic pause in-between saying: “I wouldn’t call you a good singer . . . I would call you a fantastic singer.”

Piers Morgan added: “You’re a serious contender to win.”

Dad was overwhelmed, saying: “I had a big lump in my throat. I couldn’t believe it or the high that’s gone on since.”

Children have called in to the shop to tell him how impressed they were and Liam’s school friends have got behind him.

Mr McNally said Liam began singing just before his 10th birthday when a teacher asked him to perform in a school Christmas play and spotted his fantastic voice. He joined Manchester Boys’ Choir for a few months but had to drop out after struggling with the travelling.

His only performances before his TV break have been at the Holy Family Church, Rochdale. He first sang “Danny Boy” at an Irish Festival.

“He’s had no professional training or stage school or anything like that,” said Mr McNally. “At home he always seems to be humming music and tunes. We would never push him into something he wouldn’t want to do.”

Plucky Liam, who has a sister Danielle (22) applied to the talent show himself and his parents weren’t aware until he was invited to audition.

Liam wasn’t nervous beforehand and his two ambitions were to sing for Simon Cowell and meet presenters Ant and Dec.

Mr McNally said: “If it goes no further then at least he’s done that. If he gets through we will take it from there. If he doesn’t then he’s done well getting on TV. He thinks he’s got as much chance of winning as everyone else.


:: Find out if Liam makes it through — tomorrow, 8pm, ITV1.