Eoghan Quigg
Eoghan Karl Christopher Quigg is a footballer and pop singer from Dungiven, Northern Ireland, who finished third in the fifth series of the British television music talent contest The X Factor in 2008. As a result of his X Factor success, Quigg was due to be signed by Simon Cowell, X Factor creator/producer and owner and CEO of Syco Records, but was instead signed to RCA after Cowell pulled out. Quigg released an eponymous studio album in 2009, to strongly negative reviews. Quigg competed in the Irish national selection for the chance to represent Ireland in 2014 at the Eurovision Song Contest but finished second.
Quigg joined Coagh United F.C. in 2015, and later Portstewart F.C. in the Northern Ireland Intermediate League.
Early life
Eoghan Karl Christopher Quigg grew up in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Singing along to Disney cartoons since the age of two, Quigg found his voice when he was in class and told to stand up and sing as a punishment. To the teacher's surprise he sang well, which led to his becoming a choir boy. From then on he sang lead roles in school musicals, such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.Singing career
2007–2008: ''The X Factor''
Quigg auditioned for the talent show The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole in 2008. Quigg got past the "judges' houses" stage of the competition, and made it to the live shows in Cowell's 14–24 boys group, along with Scott Bruton and Austin Drage, both of whom were eliminated early in the live shows. On the first live show, Quigg sang "Imagine" and was highly praised by the judges. On the second live show he sang "Ben" which was also praised. On Big Band week Quigg sang "L-O-V-E" and received a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd. He made it to the semi-finals and after performances of "Year 3000" and "Does Your Mother Know" was voted through to the final.Quigg eventually finished third, with Alexandra Burke the winner, and JLS runners-up.
Performances on ''The X Factor''
| Week | Song choice | Theme | Result |
| Week 1 | "Imagine" | Number One Songs in UK and US | 1st |
| Week 2 | "Ben" | Songs by Michael Jackson or The Jackson 5 | 1st |
| Week 3 | "L-O-V-E" | Big Band | 1st |
| Week 4 | "Could It Be Magic" | Disco | 1st |
| Week 5 | "Anytime You Need A Friend" | Songs by Mariah Carey | 1st |
| Week 6 | "One More Try" | Best of British | 2nd |
| Week 7 | "Never Forget" | Songs by Take That | 1st |
| Quarter-final | "Sometimes" | Songs by Britney Spears | 3rd |
| Quarter-final | "We're All in This Together" | American Classics | 3rd |
| Semi-final | "Year 3000" | Mentor's Choice | 3rd |
| Semi-final | "Does Your Mother Know" | Contestant's Choice | 3rd |
| Final | "I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday" | Christmas Song | 3rd place |
| Final | "Picture of You" | Celebrity Duet | 3rd place |
| Final | "We're All in This Together" | Contestant's Favourite | 3rd place |
2008–09: Post ''X Factor''
Quigg appeared at the Cheerios Childline Concert at the Dublin O2 in Dublin on 16 December 2008, among acts including Enrique Iglesias, Anastasia and Irish boyband Boyzone. In December he also appeared on The Late Late Show where it was announced that Boyzone had invited him on their UK and Ireland Better Tour.On 15 January 2009 it was announced that Quigg had landed a record deal with Syco's parent company Sony BMG. Quigg later signed to RCA Records.