''Class Act'' is an
Irish talent show
A talent show or talent contest is an event in which participants perform the arts of singing, dancing, lip-syncing, acting, martial arts, playing an instrument, poetry, comedy or other activities to showcase skills. Many talent shows are p ...
which last aired on
RTÉ One
RTÉ One is an Irish free-to-air flagship television channel owned and operated by RTÉ. It is the most-popular and most-watched television channel in the country and was launched as ''Telefís Éireann'' on 31 December 1961, it was renamed ''R ...
on Sundays at 18:30 throughout September and October 2008. It was presented by
Derek Mooney. The show involved a search for young people with special talents whose efforts are then judged on television.
In 2009, due to
RTÉ
(; ; RTÉThe É in RTÉ is pronounced as an English E () and not an Irish É ()) is an Irish public service broadcaster. It both produces and broadcasts programmes on television, radio and online. The radio service began on 1 January 1926, ...
cutbacks, the programme was axed.
2007 series
The 2007 series was presented by
Aidan Power
Aidan Power (born 30 March 1979) is an Irish television and radio presenter.
Career
Born in Templeogue, Dublin, Power was educated at St. Mac Dara's community college and then Ballyfermot College of Further Education, Ballyfermot Senior Colleg ...
and
Síle Seoige. It was broadcast on Sundays at 18:30, beginning on 16 September. The three judges of in this series were
Cora Venus Lunny,
Tony Lundon and
Adele King (Twink). The winners of this series were Cathal and Fergal Keaney, from Galway.
2008 series
Out of 10,000 entries, the winner was singer and guitarist, Hugh O'Neill from
County Sligo
County Sligo ( , ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It is in the Northern and Western Region and is part of the Provinces of Ireland, province of Connacht. Sligo is the administrative capital and largest town in ...
, who won €10,000 after playing a self-composed ditty. He beat
Joe Dolan
Joseph Francis Robert Dolan (16 October 1939 – 26 December 2007) was an Irish singer, entertainer and recording artist. Chiefly known in Ireland for his association with Irish showband, showbands and for his innovative style and high tenor s ...
impersonator John Fagan from
County Dublin
County Dublin ( or ) is a Counties of Ireland, county in Republic of Ireland, Ireland, and holds its capital city, Dublin. It is located on the island's east coast, within the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster. Until 1994, County Dubli ...
into second place. The six finalists performed live on television from Dublin's Tivoli Theatre on 12 October 2008. They faced a public vote for the first time, having previously been picked on by three judges including
Caroline Morahan. The three judges were
Caroline Morahan, Doctor
Veronica Dunne and
Julian Benson.
Broadcasting schedule
There were a total of six episodes, broadcast over a six-week period in September and October 2008.
* Programme 1 - Sunday 7 September, 18.30pm RTÉ One
* Programme 2 - Sunday 14 September, 18.30pm RTÉ One
* Programme 3 - Sunday 21 September, 18.30pm RTÉ One
* Programme 4 - Sunday 28 September, 18.30pm RTÉ One
* Programme 5 - Sunday 5 October, 18.30pm RTÉ One
* Programme 6 - Sunday 12 October, 18.30pm RTÉ One (Live Final)
Contestants
Six contestants competed for two places in the live final in each of episodes three, four and five. The Randomers, Megan Burke, Showgirls and Franz Lawlor exited in episode three. Hugh O'Neill and John Fagan progressed to the live final. Gary Sheridan, Adam Bouktila,
Niamh Regan and Moneeka Mukerjee exited in episode four. L'Agnello and Elementz progressed to the live final. Ciara Lyons, Michael Costello, Damien McCarthy and Celtic Roses exited in episode five. Sarah Gannon and Double Trouble progressed to the live final.
Episode six was the live final. The six finalists competed for €10,000. Double Trouble, L'Agnello, Sarah Gannon, John Fagan and Elementz failed. Hugh O'Neill won.
"Class Act Finalists"
RTÉ. Accessed 7 November 2008.
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Class Act (Irish Tv Series)
2007 Irish television series debuts
2008 Irish television series endings
Irish talent shows