''Charity You're a Star'' (initially known as ''You're a Star Charity Special'') is a talent contest created by Raidió Teilifís Éireann (RTÉ), in which various Irish celebrities sang to raise money for the

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

of their choice. The show was aired live from

Dublin City University Dublin City University (abbreviated as DCU) () is a Third-level education in the Republic of Ireland, university based on the Northside, Dublin, Northside of Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Created as the ''National Institute for Highe ...

's theatre, The Helix. The first (2005) season was named ''You're a Star Charity Special'', which was conceived to be a variation of parent programme ''

You're a Star ''You're a Star'' is an Irish music competition series broadcast by RTÉ One from 2002 to 2008. Produced by the broadcaster and Screentime ShinAwiL, the series was similar to formats such as '' Idol'' and ''The X Factor''. For its first three ...

''. However it was more successful that originally thought, so subsequent seasons (in 2006 and 2007) were called ''Charity You're a Star'' to imply more independence and permanence.

''You're a Star Charity Special''

On Tuesday 2 August 2005 (at 21.30

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), the ''You're a Star Charity Special'' made its debut. The special contained eight Irish celebrity contestants who were coached by Twink, the Irish pantomime star. The judging panel consisted of

Louis Walsh Michael Louis Vincent Walsh (born 5 August 1952) is an Irish music manager and television personality. He has managed Johnny Logan (singer), Johnny Logan, Boyzone, Jedward and Westlife, four of Ireland's most successful pop acts in the 1990s an ...

Linda Martin Linda Martin (born 27 March 1952) is an Irish singer and television presenter. She is best known as the winner of the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest during which she represented Ireland with the song " Why Me?", the first of a record three c ...

and '' Sunday Independent'' columnist Brendan O'Connor. The special was presented for two weeks by Derek Mooney.

Contestants

On the night of the final (14 August 2005), David Mitchell defeated Finian McGrath via the Irish public vote and won the contest.

''Charity You're a Star'', second season

Due to the success of the first season, RTÉ and the producers (

Screentime ShinAwiL Shinawil (stylised as ShinAwiL) Productions is an Irish television production company. It was founded by producer Larry Bass and director Simon Gibney in 1999. It was acquired by Screentime (branded as Screentime ShinAwiL) as part of a deal to ...

) brought the show back for a second season. There was no change to the judges, presenters or coach. However, unlike the first season, there were ten acts and ten live episodes. Episodes ran from Saturday 29 July until Sunday 13 August 2006. Each night one celebrity was eliminated as a result of receiving the fewest votes from the public.

Contestants

The final was held on 13 August 2006. The remaining two celebrities were Áine Ní Dhroighneáin and

John Aldridge John William Aldridge (born 18 September 1958) is a former footballer and manager. Nicknamed "Aldo", he was a prolific, record-breaking striker. His tally of 329 Football League goals is the sixth-highest in the history of English football. ...

, with Aldridge winning. This was the second time in a row that the person representing Temple Street Children's Hospital won the competition.

''Charity You're a Star'', third season

The 2007 season saw a change in personnel:

Brian Ormond Brian Ormond (born 16 August 1979) is an Irish television presenter, businessman and reality TV star. Early career ''Popstars'' In 2001 Ormond auditioned for the Irish version of ''Popstars,'' the television programme which created the pop band ...

hosted, while the judges were Brendan O'Connor,

Amanda Brunker Amanda Brunker (born 12 June 1974) is an Irish novelist, journalist and beauty pageant titleholder. She is columnist for the Irish ''Sunday World'' tabloid newspaper, She also won Miss Ireland 1991. Brunker grew up in a Church of Ireland Protest ...

and Bryan McFadden. The final was held on 12 August 2007. The remaining two celebrities acts were Seán Bán Breathnach and The All Stars. The All Stars were the winners, performing "You Can Leave Your Hat On". The programme raised a record total of €384,520 for the ten Irish charities during its run.

References

External links

Official website
* {{You're a Star 2005 Irish television series debuts 2005 Irish television series endings 2006 Irish television series debuts 2006 Irish television series endings 2007 Irish television series debuts 2007 Irish television series endings Irish talent shows Irish variety television shows Singing talent shows You're a Star 2000s in Irish music