REMEMBER THE name Dara McNicholl.
And remember where you were when you heard the 12-year-old Co Derry boy’s spellbinding rendition of Whitney Houston’s I Have Nothing.
McNicholl, from Moneyneany, is the talk of Draperstown and far beyond after starring in the first blind audition for the latest series of The Voice Kids UK.
Appearing on the show with his parents, Dara revealed he had kept his hidden talent secret from them until a music teacher arranging a school play discovered his incredible singing voice.
The moment he first sang in front of his parents on the stage proved the start of something special. Proud and emotional, they put him on a path to further nurture his talents on the show.
Understandably nervous as he approached the stage, Dara’s fears proved unfounded when all four judges turned around to see the boy behind the voice.
Will.i.am, Danny Jones from McFly, Pixie Lott and Paloma Faith all took turns in praising his performance.
Danny said he was "lost for words" saying he felt like he was “in the presence of something special.”
“I don't think you realise how good you are!"
"I think you are awesome," Will.i.am added.
Pixie, meanwhile, praised the 12-year-old's pitch-perfect performance.
"You didn't miss a note, it was like crystal clear. I did not expect to see a small person."
An early contender to take the top prize in the hit singing contest, this could be the start of something very special.
