'We're behind you 100 per cent'
Thursday, 13 November 2008
Our X Factor contestant Eoghan Quigg with a Northern Constitution - with his story on the cover!
A SINN Fein Councillor from Dungiven has this week rubbished claims that there is anger in the local community over Eoghan Quigg's participation in the X Factor single 'Help for Heroes', which help raise money for war veterans.
Councillor Anne Brolly has said there is "nothing but support" for 16-year-old Eoghan in his bid for stardom as he makes his way closer every week to the X Factor final.
This comes after reports in the press this week suggesting that the schoolboy could be in danger for his involvement in producing the charity single, which has been at No. 1 in the official UK chart for the past two weeks.
Derry City based Republican Sinn Fein spokesman Richard Walsh, who has called for a boycott of the single, said: "There's no doubt about it, there's a lot of anger in Dungiven and in the wider community about this.
“Eoghan is only a young fella, but I can understand why people are upset about his decision to appear on a song which honours the British war machine. I'm concerned this decision could be a problem for him and his family. Considering the town where he comes from and the fact people from Dungiven have suffered at the hands of the British Army, it is totally inappropriate for him to sing on this song." However, the Dungiven Sinn Fein representative has said that she has not encountered any ill feeling towards young Eoghan and told us:
"All the people of Dungiven are behind Eoghan. We're not interested in the side shows, we've got our eyes on the big picture and see Eoghan is now in line to win the X Factor. Eoghan deserves great credit for how well he has done and how he has conducted himself throughout the competition.
"He is only a 16-year-old boy and he's not interested in the politics - he's in a singing competition and is following his dream. I would say he is a great example to all young people and is a credit to his community. Sure you only have to drive through Dungiven to see the support there is for Eoghan, his photo is everywhere and everyone here is behind him 100 percent."
Eoghan himself admitted he had heard about the negative comments surrounding his involvement with the charity single but said his family and friends had assured him that his home town was in fact behind him.
Speaking to the Northern Constitution, Eoghan said:
“My parents and mates have told me that there's posters and photos up all over the place, asking people to vote for me, which is really nice. They also say that the gaelic club is packed every Saturday night with everybody watching. It's all really nice.
"I'd like to thank everyone that's voted for me and would just ask that if you enjoy my performance on Saturday night, please give me your vote." Eoghan had previously said he thought Laura White was the frontrunner to win the competition. Following Saturday night's show which saw her voted off, Eoghan said he was still shocked: "I really couldn't believe it. I really thought she was the one to win, but obviously that's not the case. I was also really shocked that Austin went the week before, so I guess you just never know.
“It's really strange here without Laura this week. I was good mates with her and I can't believe she's out.
“I was also close to Scott and Austin and they're out too so now I'm closest to Diana and JLS, who I've always been good mates with too." As for this Saturday night's show Eoghan was giving nothing away about his song choice but said he's "confident as ever" and looking forward to the performance. He said: "I think it's going to be really good, I'm really excited. Hopefully people will enjoy it and vote for me so I can keep going."
With Laura gone, we asked Eoghan who he thinks is the most likely winner now, he said:
"I really don't know anymore, the past two weeks have been such a shock, I really think anything could happen."
To help keep Eoghan's dream alive, the Northern Constitution urges readers to pick up the phone on Saturday night and ensure our Eoghan isn't the next shock evictee off the X Factor - please give our local young star your support!
