Young Star Search

The Young Star Search is a kids talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland. The competition runs on a number of local radio stations including Castle FM, Bangor FM and Belfast CityBeat.

The contest was developed by Northern Ireland radio presenter Stuart Robinson for his own station Castle FM in 2002. The competition then ran on Bangor FM from 2004. From 2005 the concept also became a stand alone event for many local councils in Northern Ireland including Carrickfergus Borough Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council and North Down Borough Council.

In 2007 the competition went province wide with its move on to Belfast CityBeat radio. The Young Star Search travelled to 12 different areas of Northern Ireland between May - July 2007 and in November 2007 'The Young Star Christmas Tour' visited several of Northern Ireland's main Christmas Light Switch Ons including Belfast City.

On 31st March 2008, it was announced that the Young Star Search would be returning on Citybeat from May 2008. Stuart Robinson will again present the series for the 7th year.

Host

Stuart Robinson has been the host of Young Star Search since 2002 on all radio stations.

Notable Judges

Past Winners

Other Alumni

Other Judges
*Andy Pugh 2002-2008
*Fat Tam 2004-2005
*Justin Macartney 2002-2003
*Mark White 2006
*Minty 2007
*Justin McGurk 2007
*Keri Moore 2007
*Seaneen Kane 2007
*Garrett O'Hare 2008
*Natalie Miller 2008

Runners Up
*2002 Joanne Corrigan
*2002 Shauna Walker
*2002 Angela Kennedy
*2003 Nicole Sloan
*2003 Laura Gilbert
*2003 Lauren Dunahoe
*2003 Sam White
*2004 Stacey McCalister
*2004 Seaneen Kane
*2005 Sarah Hutcheson
*2005 Becky Steed
*2005 & 2006 Julianna Edlin
*2006 Hannah Rose Henning
*2007 Deboragh Morrison
*2007 Eiblin Stewart
*2008 Brooklyn Dunseith
*2008 Jon Gillen

Young Star Group

In 2007 a group was formed from finalists who took part in the Citybeat Young Star Search. The six finalists recorded a version of Happy Xmas (War Is Over) and went on tour to perform the track to 75,000 people at the main Christmas Light Switch On Events across Northern Ireland.

THE GROUP

*Rachael Stewart
*Jordan Richmond
*Jon Gillen
*Deborah Morrison
*Zoe Skillen
*Rhian Gourley

Trivia

*Darcy McLean is the only person to have won Young Star twice.
*Julianna Edlin from Carrickfergus has come closest to winning most often without actually winning, finishing 3rd in 2004 and 2nd in both 2005 & 2006.
* Jon Gillen has also finshed 4th in 2005, 3rd in 2007 and 2nd in 2008. Zoe Skillen has finished 5th in both 2007 & 2008.
* Casey Wallace,Donald Montgomery, Julie Gower, Megan McConnell and Nicole McGoogin had all previously entered Young Star before winning.
* Rachael Stewart is the most successful Young Star winner in terms of votes, followed by Caitline McClurg and Sophie Hollran.
* Seaneen Kane was previously runner-up of Young Star in 2004 (Bangor) before becoming a judge in 2007.
* In 2008, the senior section had the closest final ever with John Gillen loosing by only 30 votes.

Young Star Online

http://www.citybeat.co.uk/youngstar/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYpsoe2_yvUhttp://www.newtownabbey.gov.uk/news/article.asp?id=356http://www.castlefm.co.uk/judges.phphttp://archives.tcm.ie/downdemocrat/2007/06/19/story3322.asphttp://www.bangorfm.co.uk/bangorstar.phphttp://inkwellpeople.com/eventphotos/search.php?do=search&searchfor=Young+Stars%23%23-%23%23+CASTLECOURT+FINALS+07.07.07