[Red Moon]

X Factor Eoghan hoping to sing in Eurovision

X Factor star Eoghan Quigg wants to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.

The 16-year-old, who developed a huge teenage fan base in Ireland and the UK with his performances on the ITV show, finished in third place in the weekend finale.

Eoghan, from Dungiven, is now expected to land a lucrative record deal, but has said he was keen to represent Ireland in Eurovision.

"I'd be honoured to do it as I would be doing it for my country," he said.

But he could be in competition with two-time winner Johnny Logan, after it emerged that RTE is considering offering him the chance to perform in Eurovision again next year.

The singer was beaten in a nail-biting 'X Factor' final of which the overall winner Alexandra Burke, who performed with superstar Beyonce. Her version of Leonard Cohen's 'Hallelujah' is tipped to top the Christmas charts.

X Factor chief Simon Cowell is expected to snap Eoghan up within days, even though fellow judge Louis Walsh would also love to sign him, sources said.

The young singer said: "I don't think it will be possible to go back to leading a normal life after this. Too much has happened and I've got the taste of success. But I'll never change from being an ordinary boy who got very, very lucky."

Eoghan's parents Denise and Chris and brothers Dylan and Calum were in the studio audience to see their boy battle for the big prize.

Back home, his extended family packed into St Canice's Hall in Dungiven to watch the Saturday night drama unfold.

Scores of supporters, including his four-week-old sister Chrissie Mia, piled into the Playhouse at St Columb's in Derry to take advantage of the live feed from London and soak up the atmosphere.

His father Chris said family and friends were celebrating Eoghan's remarkable achievement in making it all the way to the final, even if he was pipped at the post. "In my eyes he's a winner. He exceeded all our expectations by getting through boot camp and making it to the live shows," he said.

Music industry sources claimed that Eoghan had already been offered a lucrative deal. But Chris Quigg said that negotiations would have to take place.

"We will have to sit down, probably with Simon, and see what he can get," he said.

He admitted that his son's life has changed beyond recognition.

"It was never in my mind that he would get as far as he did. We just thought he could try and see how far he could go.

"It will definitely change Eoghan's life."

Odds released by Boylesports show that he is 10/1 to appear in the next 'High School Musical' film and 5/1 to appear in the West End version.

Source: Belfast Telegraph