An Irish priest from OldCastle, Co Meath, Ireland, took the spotlight and captivated everyone with his incredible singing skills on the popular British TV show, Britain’s Got Talent (BGT). Given the recent scandals surrounding the Catholic Church, Fr. Ray Kelly’s audition was a breath of fresh air and touched the hearts of many. At 64 years old, he introduced himself to the judges and shared some humorous exchanges with them.
Choosing the song “Everybody Hurts” by the well-known American rock band R.E.M., Fr. Ray’s rendition was absolutely stunning and earned him thunderous applause and a standing ovation from both the judges and the live audience. Growing up in a musical family, he had always known he had some talent but never expected such amazing comments from the judges.
Prior to his BGT audition, Fr. Kelly had already gained popularity on social media when a video of him singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a wedding in his parish church went viral on YouTube, accumulating over 10 million views. Clearly inspired by his musical experiences, Fr. Kelly decided to give BGT a shot after being a regular viewer of the show.
Despite some uncertainty, he took a leap of faith and decided to audition without fully knowing what to expect. His brave decision paid off, as his performance left a lasting impression on everyone, including Simon Cowell, who exclaimed that it was one of his favorite auditions ever. Simon praised Fr. Kelly’s beautiful voice and loved his version of the song, stating that it was everything they had been waiting for.
Now it’s your turn to share your thoughts on this remarkable performance. Did you enjoy it as much as the judges did? Let us know in the comments and be sure to share it with your friends and family!
