Singer Paddy Treacy has been announced as the first finalist in The Late Late Show Opening Act, a new competition that will see five performers battle it out live on RTÉ One this Friday.
The Fermanagh singer was revealed on Today with David McCullagh on RTÉ Radio 1 on Monday morning ahead of the special, which airs on Friday 17 April.
The winner will earn the chance to open for Grammy winner Shania Twain when she plays Thomond Park in Limerick in July. They will also secure a place on the annual Late Late Show Country Special later this year.
Speaking after the announcement, Treacy said appearing on The Late Late Show was something he had never imagined.
"I really cannot wait to play on The Late Late Show Opening Act, it’s really a dream come true getting to perform on The Late Late Show, a show I have watched since I was a child and a show I never ever thought I would be on some day," he said.
Treacy also said the country music special has long been his favourite edition of the programme.
"As good as The Late Late Show is, the country music special is the highlight of shows of the year in my opinion, I never ever miss a country music special," he said.
"My favourite one was when they opened the show with the Walk of Life. The production value really added to the performance, so to think I have the chance to perform on the show in front of those big names, it doesn’t seem real to me."
The remaining four finalists will be revealed on Today with David McCullagh on RTÉ Radio 1 each morning this week between 9am and 11am.
All five acts will then perform on The Late Late Show Opening Act on Friday 17 April at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
