You're a Star is an Irish music competition series broadcast by RTÉ One from 2002 to 2008. Produced by the broadcaster and Screentime ShinAwiL, the series was similar to formats such as Idol and The X Factor.
For its first three series, You're a Star was used to choose the musician who would perform the Irish entry at the Eurovision Song Contest. In later series, the grand prize was changed to a recording contract with Universal Music Ireland (with the Irish selection now conducted via the Eurosong qualifier, whose finals are hosted by The Late Late Show), and later music equipment and €50,000. The series was broadcast live from The Helix theatre in Dublin City University (DCU).
The show was cancelled after the 2008 series and replaced a year later with The All Ireland Talent Show.
Presenters and judges
Presenters
Key
Original presenter(s) Previous presenter(s)
Judging panel
Key
Original judge(s) Previous judge(s) Guest judge(s)
In series one (2002–03), Linda Martin stood in for Kerry Katona midway through the series. In series two (2003–04), Linda Martin replaced Kerry Katona and Louis Walsh (judge on UK The X Factor) replaced Darren Smith. In series three (2004–05), owing to the poor result at the Eurovision Song Contest 2004 there was a public outcry and all judges were replaced by Dave Fanning (DJ RTÉ 2fm), Hazel Kaneswaran (famed from UK Popstars: The Rivals in 2002), and Barbara Galvin. In series four (2005–06), owing to the popularity of judges on Charity You're a Star in 2005, Linda Martin was brought back and Brendan O'Connor and Thomas Black (from record label Much Music) were introduced. In series six (2007–08), Michelle Heaton (Liberty X) replaced Linda Martin, and Keith Duffy (Boyzone) replaced Thomas Black.
2002–03: Series 1
The inaugural contest took place from 2002–03. Raidió Teilifís Éireann, being the Irish member of the European Broadcasting Union, decided that the winner of You're a Star would be sent to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest for the foreseeable proceeding years. The show was hosted by Ray D'Arcy. The Talent spotter, Phil Coulter and Kerry Katona served as judges. In the final, the public voted for their winner: Mickey Joe Harte, a musician and singer-songwriter from Lifford in County Donegal. He entered Eurovision Song Contest 2003 with the song "We've Got the World", finishing in eleventh position. At the time this was considered one of the poorest results achieved by Ireland, who are the Eurovision Song Contest's most successful country with seven wins. "We've Got the World" reached number one on the Irish Singles Chart, where it remained for five weeks and went on to become the best-selling single of 2003. However, Mickey Harte's most recent album only peaked at number 53.
2003–04: Series 2
You're a Star returned for a 2003/2004 season. Ray D'arcy returned for his second season as host. The judges of the show differed from season one. Chris Doran from Waterford won the competition. In the final of Eurovision Song Contest 2004 Chris Doran finished in 22nd position with seven points awarded by the United Kingdom. Onstage monitoring for the artist on the night, combined with a lack of experience may have caused tuning issues, which were not manifest during the auditions. As a result, Ireland did not qualify automatically for the 2005 Eurovision final. The song "If My World Stopped Turning" reached number 1 in the Irish Singles Chart, but Doran was, however, unable to sustain a successful music career in Ireland. His most recent song failed to crack the top twenty.
2004–05: Series 3
The format of the show was changed for the 2004/2005 season, to try to ensure that Ireland chose an act with more appeal across Europe. The show was no longer limited to solo singer-performers; bands under the size of six people could now enter. The final was held on 6 March 2005. Donna and Joseph McCaul, a brother-and-sister act from Westmeath won the contest. The Jades, a band from Wexford, finished in second position. The Henry Girls from Donegal finished in third position. Bringing up the rear of The Henry Girls, Ian Barrett, a (then 16-year-old) soloist from Wicklow finished fourth, with a version of "We Didn't Start the Fire".