The Irish priest who has won hearts all around the world after he impressed Simon Cowell on Britain’s Got Talent has said he might take a year off.
Fr Ray Kelly performed R.E.M.’s classic ‘Everybody Hurts’ for his BGT audition. Cowell was stunned and said that it was one of his favourite ever auditions.
The video went viral and even caught the attention of the band. R.E.M tweeted their approval, describing Fr Kelly’s performance as ‘powerful and poignant’.
Now Fr Kelly is being tipped to go far in the competition he has revealed he is considering taking a year-long sabbatical from his parish in Oldcastle, Co Meath.
He said: “I will always be a priest, but I’ve never taken a sabbatical. Most priests I know have taken a year off to study or do courses. I’ve never done that.
“I’m hoping I would be given a year off to sing. I’ll be 29 years a priest this summer. I would love to try and pursue the music.”
Fr Kelly also revealed that he had been scouted for Ireland’s Got Talent after a video of him singing to a couple during their wedding went viral. However, he had already signed up to the British version.
He said: “I was scouted for Ireland’s Got Talent but I had committed to Britain’s Got Talent so I couldn’t do anything with them.
“The producers didn’t work with me. I rehearse my singing in front of the mirror at home but the best practice I get is from saying Mass, baptisms, and funerals. So I’m used to appearing in public.”
Written by Michael Kehoe