Ireland’s biggest music mogul Louis Walsh told Ulster’s only X-Factor finalist that he would be a star when the Larne singer auditioned for him four years ago.

Phillip Magee made it through to the final rounds of the Song for Europe contest but Louis Walsh, one of the judges, felt that at 17, Phillip was too young to be one of the four finalists.

However, Louis, who masterminded the careers of Boyzone, Westlife, Samantha Mumba and Girls Aloud, was so impressed by Phillip’s performance that he told him to keep practising because he had the talent to succeed in the music industry.

Ironically, four years later, Louis has been made a mentor for 21-year-old Phillip as he prepares to battle for a £1m music contract in the UK’s biggest talent competition.

Even before Louis was put in charge of the under-25 group, he publicly backed the Larne singer, saying “he has a better voice than Ronan Keating”.

And speaking to the Belfast Telegraph, Phillip’s proud dad, Jim, joked: “If Phillip does half as well as Ronan Keating, I’ll be happy.”

He went on to explain that Louis has been extremely supportive of Phillip.

“After Phillip’s audition in the first round of X-Factor, Louis called him back and asked him where he had met him before and Phillip reminded him about the Song for Europe contest and Louis was really pleased to see he had kept going,” he said.

“Although Louis thought Phillip was a bit too young when he saw him four years ago, he told him not to give up because he said Phillip had a fantastic voice and that he should keep practising – because one day he would be a star.

“It is great that Louis is looking after Phillip’s group because he seems to really be behind him – On the Late Late Show the other night, he was saying what a good voice he has.”

The Magee family have had limited contact with Phillip as he has been so busy rehearsing for the first live show this weekend, but in snatched phonecalls home, Mr Magee revealed that his eldest son says he is looking forward to Saturday night.

“I think Phillip will do really well on Saturday and Louis certainly seems to think that Phillip has what it takes and although he believes that he is a bit raw, he says that can be worked on and he would like to be Phillip’s manager.”

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