Oran McConville, who found fame as a child when his school choir took part in the 2017 series of the ITV show, suffered fatal injuries in a car crash in the early hours of Saturday morning
A teenager who impressed the judges on Britain’s Got Talent has sadly passed away aged just 18-years-old.
Oran McConville’s tragic death comes mere weeks following his father’s death on February 21 marking another devastating blow for their family. Adding to the series of heart-wrenching events, Oran’s younger sister Rachael, described as a “happy, intelligent” 11 year old, was fatally struck by a Volkswagen people carrier around 2009.
Oran’s sister’s death occurred years prior to his appearance on the 2017 edition of the ITV competition, Britain’s Got Talent, which saw his group from St Patrick’s Primary School in County Down, Northern Ireland, advance to the semi-finals. That year, pianist Tokio Myers clinched the coveted title.
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Tragically Oran was killed in a car accident in the early hours of Saturday morning, reports the Mirror.
Parish priest Fr Charles Byrne paid homage to Oran at his Requiem Mass in Drumgath, County Down, articulating the collective sorrow: “Oran’s tragic death early on Saturday morning has brought devastating shock and grief to his family, to his friends, to our local community here and the wider community around it.”
Fr Byrne continued, reflecting on the multiple tragedies the family endured: “As we all know, just six weeks ago we were here for Oran’s father Paddy and 16 years ago you had the death of young Rachael. At this time we are all lost for words. Words are woefully inadequate to express the pain and the sorrow in our hearts that we have for you.”
When Oran and his friends wowed the judges with their rendition of “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane on Britain’s Got Talent, an impressed Simon Cowell remarked: “You are having a good time, and that is the most important thing. That was a great audition.”
Discussing the memory, Fr Byrne shared: “This was a very enjoyable time for Oran and for his friends at the school. He was a natural performer and years later was able to look back on those times with fun and laughter. His love of music continued to grow. He leant to play the guitar, loved going to concerts.”
Fr Byrne reminisced about how, as the youngest of three children, Oran was known as the “baby of the family… who got away with more mischief than most” adding: “With a smile like his, who could be cross for long.” He also idolised his older brother Shea, considering him a “hero” with whom he had an “unbreakable bond”.
His co-workers at Milestone petrol station where Oran and his mother were employed, recalled him as brimming “full of talent, kindness, and an infectious positivity”.
Drumgath GAC expressed their heart-warming tribute, saying, “Orán was so much more than a young man – he was a bright light in our community. Kind, gentle, full of humour, and always up for a chat, Oran had that rare ability to make everyone feel at ease in his company. He had time for people, young and old, and brought joy to those lucky enough to have known him. Whether it was on the football pitch or in the heart of the community, Oran carried himself with warmth, respect, and quiet charm.”