Neil Diamond - Mary Byrne

When I came out of X-Factor, we did the tour which was a brilliant thing to do. I got to come to The O2 and everyone single one of us on that tour said that the best reception of any of the shows was at The O2 in Dublin. The Irish just don't get enough good shows like that and, when they do, they embrace it. It was like going home to your mother's bosom. Every time I came out on stage I got a standing ovation. We all did, but I seemed to get the biggest. That was because I am one of them and they were proud of me.

The Queen was great too. I would never have met royalty in my life if I hadn't got that opportunity, but the big one for me was Neil Diamond and it was because he came backstage to me. Neil Diamond walking into my dressing room and hugging me was one of the most precious moments I'll remember from the whole year.

What did he say to you?

He just came in and the first thing he said was, "hello Mary". He then hugged me and said he was so proud of me and that he knew how the Irish people must feel. He then told me to go out on the stage and sing from my heart. That half hour I was on that stage went like a minute because I was enjoying it so much. Everything he told me to do on stage I did and I can remember every little detail of walking up on that stage. I asked for my family to stand up from the stage and the whole stadium stood up. I just thought that was beautiful.

http://entertainment.ie/Music/feature/Interview-::-Mary-Byrne/1/221...