Cork singer Patrick O’Sullivan opens up about overcoming nerves to scoop €25,000 first prize in Last Singer Standing
CORK singer Patrick O’Sullivan has told how he overcame his nerves to win Last Singer Standing — and scoop the show’s massive €25,000 prize.
The West End performer won the hearts of panellists, audience and viewers with his show-stopping take on Cher’s Believe.
Afterwards, Patrick said he didn’t expect to win and felt the show was such a “gift”, having been unable to perform during the pandemic.
Finalists Dame Stuffy, Janet Grogan, Alex King, Tony Cunningham, Rachael Farrell, Caroline Bailey and Patrick battled it out for the prize money and the Last Singer Standing title.
On his win, Patrick said: “Winning Last Singer Standing completely took my breath away.
AMAZING FINALISTS
“Other finalists were really amazing, genuinely amazing.
“There are so many different things that play a part in it.”
The singer has worked on the West End for years and appeared in top musicals — including The Book of Mormon, Wind in the Willows and Carrie.
Most read in The Irish Sun
He said: “I did really try and put in the work to try do a good job.
“It’s frightening. Not knowing what it is you’re going to sing is a really, really frightening thing.”
Hosted by Nicky Byrne on RTÉ One, Patrick said the show’s pop panel lineup of Samantha Mumba, Joey Fatone and Nadine Coyle were “amazing”.
He said: “They’re the Irish glitterati, the creme de la crème.”
Patrick does not consider himself competitive but felt his West End experience helped him out.
NEW EXPERIENCES
He said: “I was quite used to being flexible jumping between different types of songs.
“Maybe more so than the other contestants because it’s just in the nature of what I do.”
Patrick had never considered doing a reality show before but wanted a new experience during the pandemic when theatres closed.
When he saw the audition call, Patrick thought: “I’ve been just sitting here in these four walls in my flat for the last 18 months. I’ve had no new experiences or been able to do anything. I’m going to give it a go. It might be a bit of fun.
'INTENSE'
“Having not performed for almost two years due to the pandemic, it was just such a gift to even share the stage with the amazing finalists.”
The singer revealled the most “intense” moment of the show for him, was his first performance when he sang U2’s Beautiful Day. He said: “That was when I was really in the heart of the game.”
Now living in London, the musical theatre performer hopes to make a return to Ireland.
Patrick said: “The whole process was an absolute joy and I can’t thank RTE and Shinawil enough.
“I’ve always loved to sing but this feels like the start of a really exciting journey at home in Ireland and I can’t wait to share what I’ve been working on.”
'I WASN'T PREPARED'
The celebrity panellists were blown away with Patrick’s breath-taking version of Cher’s Believe.
Samantha Mumba said: “I wasn’t prepared for that, you are just so special, you have it in bucketloads and I’m just honoured to have been able to witness it.”
Read more on the Irish Sun
Nadine Coyle said: “It’s very obvious how talented you are. You are able to bring so much to it. You’ve really got it all.”
Joey Fatone said: “It’s one of those things — either you have it or you don’t. You’ve got it. I got a little teary-eyed, not going to lie about it. Great job.”
