Eoghan Quigg (born 12 July 1992) is an Irish pop singer 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X Factor creator/producer and owner and CEO of Syco Records, but was instead signed to RCA after Cowell’s offer was withdrawn.
Eoghan Quigg grew up in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. He lives at home with his parents, his two younger brothers Dylan and Calum, and baby sister Chrissie Mia (who was born during the X Factor finals).
Singing along to Disney cartoons since the age of two, Quigg found his voice when he was in class and told to stand up and sing as a punishment. To the teachers surprise he was amazing and she said to stay behind and go to the school choir, and from then on sang lead roles in school musicals. He attended St. Patrick’s College, a local Catholic secondary school, in his home town of Dungiven.
He has now decided not to carry on at school, and not to take his GCSE’s in summer 2009. Instead he decided to make his album and go on tour with Boyzone this summer. He has considered returning to school if the debut album fails to succeed.
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 John Lennon’s “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” by Nat King Cole and received a standing ovation from the judges and the crowd. He made it to the semi-finals and after performances of Busted’s “Year 3000” and ABBA’s “Does Your Mother Know” was voted through to the final.
Quigg eventually finished third, with Alexandra Burke the winner, and JLS runners-up. He achieved the most public votes a total of six times in the series – the most of all the contestants.
