You're a Star Charity Special

Charity You're a Star (initially known as You're a Star Charity Special) is a talent contest created by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), in which various Irish celebrities sang to raise money for the charity of their choice. The show was aired live from Dublin City University's theatre, The Helix.

The first (2005) season was named You're a Star Charity Special, which was conceived to be a variation of parent programme You're a Star. However it was more successful that originally thought, so subsequent seasons (in 2006 and 2007) were called Charity You're a Star to imply more independence and permanence.

You're a Star Charity Special

On Tuesday 2 August 2005 (at 21.30 IST), the You're a Star Charity Special made its debut. The special contained eight Irish celebrity contestants who were coached by Twink, the Irish pantomime star. The judging panel consisted of Louis Walsh, Linda Martin and Sunday Independent columnist Brendan O'Connor. The special was presented for two weeks by Derek Mooney.

Contestants

Name Known as Charity
Amanda Brunker Columnist Solas, Irish Autism Action
David Mitchell RTÉ Fair City actor Temple Street Children's University Hospital
Finian McGrath Independent TD Downs Syndrome Ireland
Natasha Nic Gairbheith Former Miss Ireland The Donegal Hospice
Liam McCormack A 'S@ttitude presenter Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin
Síle Seoige TG4 and RTÉ presenter Cope (homeless organization)
Alan Shortt Bull Island satirist The National Council for the Blind of Ireland
Geri Maye Would You Believe presenter The Marie Keating Foundation

On the night of the final (14 August 2005), David Mitchell defeated Finian McGrath via the Irish public vote and won the contest.

Charity You're a Star, second season

Due to the success of the first season, RTÉ and the producers (Screentime ShinAwiL) brought the show back for a second season. There was no change to the judges, presenters or coach. However, unlike the first season, there were ten acts and ten live episodes. Episodes ran from Saturday 29 July until Sunday 13 August 2006. Each night one celebrity was eliminated as a result of receiving the fewest votes from the public.

Contestants

Name Known as Charity
Kathryn Thomas RTÉ presenter Special Olympics Ireland
John Aldridge Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland football player Temple Street Children's Hospital
Louis Copeland and Roddy Collins Fashion designer and Football manager The Variety Club
Gail Kaneswaren Model Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin
Daithí Ó Sé TG4 weather forecaster Make A Wish Foundation
Una Crawford O'Brien and Bryan Murray Fair City actors The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght
Shane O'Donoghue RTÉ sports commentator The Marie Keating Foundation
Áine Ní Dhroigneáin TG4 presenter Cancer Care West
The Politicians: Billy Kelleher TD, Senator Frank Feighan, Dan Boyle TD, Senator Michael McCarthy Members of the Oireachtas The Irish Hospice Foundation
Maclean Burke Fair City actor The Bubble Gum Club

The final was held on 13 August 2006. The remaining two celebrities were Áine Ní Dhroighneáin and John Aldridge, with Aldridge winning. This was the second time in a row that the person representing Temple Street Children's Hospital won the competition.

Charity You're a Star, third season

The 2007 season saw a change in personnel: Brian Ormond hosted, while the judges were Brendan O'Connor, Amanda Brunker and Bryan McFadden.

Name Known as Charity
Shane Byrne Rugby union player GOAL
Brent Pope Rugby union pundit IRFU Charitable Trust
The Presenters: Sinead Kennedy and Simon Deasy Children's TV presenters Crumlin Hospital
Seán Bán Breathnach RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta DJ Carers Society
Brendan Courtney TV presenter The Bubblegum Club
The Roses: Orla Tobin, Róisín Egenton, Orla O'Shea Former Rose of Tralee winners Irish Heart Foundation
Joe O'Shea Seoige and O'Shea presenter RNLI
Nuala Carey RTÉ weathergirl Alzheimer's Society of Ireland
Vivienne Connolly Model Temple Street Children's Hospital
The All-Stars: Barney Rock, David Beggy, Jack O'Shea Former Gaelic footballers Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre

The final was held on 12 August 2007. The remaining two celebrities acts were Seán Bán Breathnach and The All Stars. The All Stars were the winners, performing "You Can Leave Your Hat On". The programme raised a record total of €384,520 for the ten Irish charities during its run.[1]

References

  1. ↑ "Charity You're A Star raises over €380,000". rte.ie. 2007. Archived from the original on 3 November 2007.
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