Charity You're a Star
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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 of their choice. The show was aired live from Dublin City University's theatre, The Helix.
The first season was named You're a Star Charity Special, which was conceived to be a variation of parent programme You're a Star. However it was much more successful that originally thought, so later seasons 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 IST), 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, Linda Martin and Sunday Independent columnist Brendan O'Connor. The special was presented for two weeks by Derek Mooney (then recognisable from RTÉ's Winning Streak).
Contestants
| Name | Known as | Charity |
|---|---|---|
| Amanda Brunker | Columnist | Solas, Irish Autism Action |
| David Mitchell | RTÉ Fair City actor | Temple Street Children's University Hospital |
| Finian McGrath | Independent TD | Downs Syndrome Ireland |
| Natasha Nic Gairbheith | Former Miss Ireland | The Donegal Hospice |
| Liam McCormack | A 'S@ttitude presenter | Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin |
| Síle Seoige | TG4 and RTÉ presenter | Cope (homeless organization) |
| Alan Shortt | Bull Island satirist | The National Council for the Blind of Ireland |
| Geri Maye | Would You Believe presenter | The Marie Keating Foundation |
On the night of the final (14 August 2005), David Mitchell defeated Finian McGrath via the Irish public vote and won the contest.
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Charity You're a Star, second season
Due to the success of season one RTÉ and the producers (Screentime ShinAwiL) 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 is eliminated via receiving the fewest votes from the public.
Contestants
| Name | Known as | Charity |
|---|---|---|
| Kathryn Thomas | RTÉ presenter | Special Olympics Ireland |
| John Aldridge | Former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland football player | Temple Street Children's Hospital |
| Louis Copeland and Roddy Collins | Fashion designer and Football manager | The Variety Club |
| Gail Kaneswaren | Model | Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital, Crumlin |
| Daithí Ó Sé | TG4 weather forecaster | Make A Wish Foundation |
| Una Crawford O'Brien and Bryan Murray | Fair City actors | The National Children’s Hospital, Tallaght [1] |
| Shane O'Donoghue | RTÉ sports commentator | The Marie Keating Foundation |
| Áine Ní Dhroigneáin | TG4 presenter | Cancer Care West |
| The Politicians: Billy Kelleher TD, Senator Frank Feighan, Dan Boyle TD, Senator Michael McCarthy | Members of the Oireachtas | The Irish Hospice Foundation |
| Maclean Burke | Fair City actor | The Bubble Gum Club |
The final was held on 13 August 2006. The remaining two celebrities were Áine Ní Dhroighneáin and John Aldridge. John defeated Áine. This is 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 hosted, while the judges were Brendan O'Connor, Amanda Brunker and Bryan McFadden.
| Name | Known as | Charity |
|---|---|---|
| Shane Byrne | Rugby union player | GOAL |
| Brent Pope | Rugby union pundit | IRFU Charitable Trust |
| The Presenters: Sinead Kennedy and Simon Deasy | Children's TV presenters | Crumlin Hospital |
| Seán Bán Breathnach | RTÉ Raidió na Gaeltachta DJ | Carers Society |
| Brendan Courtney | TV presenter | The Bubblegum Club |
| The Roses: Orla Tobin, Róisín Egenton, Orla O'Shea | Former Rose of Tralee winners | Irish Heart Foundation |
| Joe O'Shea | Seoige and O'Shea presenter | RNLI |
| Nuala Carey | RTÉ weathergirl | Alzheimer's Society of Ireland |
| Vivienne Connolly | Model | Temple Street Children's Hospital |
| The All-Stars: Barney Rock, David Beggy, Jack O'Shea | Former Gaelic footballers | Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre |
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.