A NORTHERN Irish boy booked his place in the final of UK talent show The Voice Kids after impressing with a stunning rendition of Nothing Compares 2 U.
Dara McNicholl, from Moneyneany, had already impressed the judges with a spellbinding rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing in his first audition.
However, he went one better in the semi-finals, despite the obvious pressure that came with performing a song made famous by Ireland’s Sinead O’Connor.
Thankfully, he was able to see the funny side.
"All Irish people know that song, so there's no pressure!" He joked.
But no one was laughing once Dara took to the stage, delivering an incredible performance that wow praise for its raw emotion and incredible vocal range.
"That was da right song at da right time for a singer named Dara," quipped judge and Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am.
"You have this amazing talent that's technical but feels so sensitive, it feeds into the way you sing because its just pure beauty," Dara’s mentor Paloma Faith added.
His performance proved enough to see him through to the final with Paloma picking him to perform in the grand finale.
It was a decision backed by fellow judge Danny Jones, who described Dara as the best performer of the whole night.
Fans on Twitter evidently concurred.
"Dara’s got this. That was out-standing! Incredible voice and performance," one wrote.
"Dara just blew the roof off. UNBELIEVABLE!!! Would win the adult version. Nothing compares to you," another said.
A third, meanwhile, tipped him to go all the way: "Dara is my winner. Stunningly beautiful voice."
It marks a remarkable next chapter in Dara’s story.
When he first appeared on the show all those weeks ago, the 13-year-old revealed how he had kept his hidden talent secret from his parents.
It was only after his music teacher cast him in a school play that his incredible singing voice was discovered.
The moment he first sang in front of his parents came on the stage and has proven to be the start of something special, whatever happens in the final.
