X Factor: Conor excited ahead of six-chair challenge

Londonderry singer Conor McGinty has said he is super excited ahead of the six chair challenge to be televised this weekend on X Factor.
Conor McGinty hopes to get to judges houses after this weekend's Six Chair Chellenge on the X Factor.Conor McGinty hopes to get to judges houses after this weekend's Six Chair Chellenge on the X Factor.
Conor McGinty hopes to get to judges houses after this weekend's Six Chair Chellenge on the X Factor.

Conor will be singing at Wembley for one of the six places which guarantees a spot at the Judges’ Houses round, prior to the finalists battling out live in a few weeks time. Fellow County Londonderry man Niall Sexton (22) from Magherafelt has also reached the last 12.

Speaking about his experiences on the show to date, 21-year-old Conor, said: “Bootcamp was crazy and tough but it all worked out, I nearly toppled poor Louis [Walsh] when I found out I was through again.

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“So far it’s been incredible to say the least, the contacts, experience that I’ve gained so far is next to none and I feel ready. The show itself is amazing to be apart of. Crazy to think I watched it from day one every weekend religiously and now I’m on it.

“Top 60 in the UK so far is an amazing feeling for me- hopefully now I can get a seat at the weekend and progress through to Judges’ Houses.

“There’s 12 boys left, six places at judges’ houses so it’s going to be tough, a 50/50 chance, I suppose, but I’m excited and well prepared for it.”

U2 and The Script fan Conor, who works in Boots, said the support from everyone back home has been “incredible,” adding that he was “still finding it hard to get used to people recognising me in the street and talking about how they are behind me”.

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And Conor has done several gigs on home turf over recent weeks, with another special concert tomorrow.

“When I’m home I’ll always continue to do local gigs because at the end of the day, these are the people who helped me start out and I’ll always be grateful to them. This Friday I’ll be in The City Hotel from 5pm till 7pm,” he said.

Speaking about reaching this point in his music career, Conor added: “For me it feels a long time coming. I’ve been gigging locally and working part-time while studying as well at Ulster University and trying to get myself a break. It’s been tough and there’s been times where I’ve been thinking maybe it’s not for me, or maybe it’s time to focus on getting a normal job. But it’s all worked out and the hard work has been worth it.

“For me the exposure so far has been amazing and it’s opened a lot of new doors already. I’m excited going forward.”

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