Eoghan Quigg

Eoghan Karl Christopher Quigg (pronounced "Owen", born 12 July 1992) is a pop singer from Dungiven, Northern Ireland, who finished third in the fifth series of the British television music talent contest The X Factor in 2008. As a result of his X Factor success, Quigg was due to be signed by Simon Cowell, X Factor creator/producer and owner and CEO of Syco Records, but was instead signed to RCA after Cowell pulled out.^[1] Quigg released an eponymous studio album in 2009, to negative reviews.

Quigg competed in the Irish national selection for the chance to represent Ireland at the Eurovision but finished second in 2014.

Early life

Eoghan Karl Christopher Quigg grew up in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. Singing along to Disney cartoons since the age of two,^[2] Quigg found his voice when he was in class and told to stand up and sing as a punishment. To the teacher's surprise he sang well, which led to his becoming a choir boy. From then on he sang lead roles in school musicals, such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.^[2]

Singing career

2008: The X Factor

Quigg auditioned for the talent show The X Factor in front of judges Simon Cowell, Dannii Minogue, Louis Walsh and Cheryl Cole in 2008. Quigg got past the "judges' houses" stage of the competition, and made it to the live shows in Cowell's 14–24 boys group, along with Scott Bruton and Austin Drage, both of whom were eliminated early in the live shows. On the first live show, Quigg sang "Imagine" and was highly praised by the judges. On the second live show (Michael Jackson week) he sang "Ben" which was also praised. On Big Band week Quigg sang "L-O-V-E" and received a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd. He made it to the semi-finals and after performances of "Year 3000" and "Does Your Mother Know" was voted through to the final.

Quigg eventually finished third, with Alexandra Burke the winner, and JLS runners-up.

Performances on The X Factor

2008–09: Post X Factor

Quigg appeared at the Cheerios Childline Concert at the Dublin O₂ in Dublin on 16 December 2008, among big stars including Enrique Iglesias, Anastasia, Boyzone and many more. In December he also appeared on The Late Late Show where it was announced that Irish boyband Boyzone had invited him on their UK and Ireland Better Tour.^[3] After Alexandra Burke won the X Factor, Simon Cowell's Syco Music announced that it intended to sign Quigg, along with Burke, second place JLS, and fourth place Diana Vickers.^[4] On 15 January 2009 it was announced that Quigg had landed a record deal with Syco's parent company Sony BMG.^[5] The Sun later reported that Cowell had revoked his offer to Quigg and that he has been signed to RCA Records.^[1]

2009: Studio album

Quigg released his only album, titled Eoghan Quigg, on 6 April 2009.^[6] "28,000 Friends", the sole single from Quigg, peaked at no. 96 in the UK Singles Chart.^[7] The album charted at number 14 and spent 3 weeks in the top 100.^[8] It debuted at Number 1 on the Irish Albums Chart, and left the charts eight weeks later.^[8] The album met with negative reviews; Peter Robinson of The Guardian claimed it to be "the worst album in the history of recorded sound".^[9] The album was criticised for its lack of original material, low production values and poor singing performance from Quigg.^[10][11] Following disappointing album sales, Quigg was dropped by RCA Records.^[12]

2014: Eurovision Song Contest

In February 2014, Quigg was announced by RTÉ as one of the five acts that would compete to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, with the song "The Movie Song". He finished second in the contest.^[13]

Television

Quigg played a minor role in the BBC sitcom Dani's House, playing himself.^[14] He appeared as a guest on the 22 December 2009 edition of Alan Carr: Chatty Man^[15] and featured as a guest on Harry Hill's TV Burp on 19 February 2011.

Discography

Albums

Singles

As lead artist

As featured artist

References