Ray Kelly, a 64-year-old priest from Ireland, made headlines when he auditioned for the British TV talent show, Britain’s Got Talent (BGT), in 2014. Kelly impressed the show’s lead judge, Simon Cowell, with his performance of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts.”
Kelly, who grew up in a family of musicians, introduced the song with great energy and received thunderous applause and standing ovations from the judges and the live audience of the show.
Despite his musical background, Kelly had some reservations before deciding to audition for BGT. “I decided to go ahead not really knowing what to expect,” he said sarcastically.
However, Kelly had already caused a stir on social media before joining the talent show. A video of him singing Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” at a church wedding in his parish went viral, garnering over 10 million views on YouTube.
Kelly’s audition on BGT proved to be a hit, with Simon Cowell declaring it one of his all-time favorite auditions. “I think you guys look amazing. I love the version of the song. It’s everything we’ve been waiting for. I absolutely loved it,” Simon said.
Kelly’s performance on BGT helped to showcase his talents as a musician and bring joy to audiences worldwide. His story serves as a reminder that it’s never too late to pursue your passions and share your talents with the world.
