Mary Byrne

Surpassing the achievement of season two runner-up Andy Abraham by five years, Mary Byrne became the oldest contestant from The X Factor to land a recording contract after being eliminated. Born in Ballyfermot, Dublin in 1959, she nurtured an early passion for singing and frequently joined her brother in performances under the name Tommy Lee Experience, yet she lacked the assurance to chase a professional path until her late forties. At that point she entered the single series of the Irish-language talent program Nollaig No. 1. Competing as Mary Lee, she claimed victory and issued her first single, the holiday rendition of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "You'll Never Walk Alone" titled "Siuil Leat," only to resume her role at the registers of a neighborhood Tesco store. Two years afterward she tried out for the seventh U.K. edition of The X Factor, advanced to the live rounds, and captured the initial public vote with a commanding take on James Brown's "It's a Man's Man's Man's World." She ultimately placed fifth after falling to Cher Lloyd during the decisive sing-off, though her strong following convinced Simon Cowell to offer her a deal with Syco. Following sessions with Nigel Wright, the producer known for his work with Barbra Streisand, and appearances on the subsequent X Factor tour, Byrne unveiled her debut album Mine & Yours, which ascended to the top of the Irish charts and reached number six in the U.K. during 2011.