A Co Armagh singer, harpist and songwriter returns to the Britain’s Got Talent stage this weekend, as she prepares a new song hoping to make her late grandparents proud.
17-year-old Niamh Noade has secured her place in the live semi-finals at London’s Apollo Theatre, with her sights firmly set on reaching the final.
Mary (85) and Joe (86) Murphy passed away last year after an illness. They were Newry natives, and a huge part of their family’s lives, including Niamh’s.
Niamh said she has prepared her new song in the hope that they’ll be watching from heaven as her ‘biggest supporters.’
Niamh Noade appeared on Saturday night’s edition of Britain’s Got Talent.
Known for blending the harp with her distinctive vocals, Niamh has already made a strong impression on the judges.
During her first audition, Simon Cowell told her: “You’ve got an amazing voice. Some people are just born with great voices, and you have that.”
Niamh is no stranger to high‑pressure stages. She was crowned All‑Ireland singing champion in January 2025 and previously reached a wide international audience on The Voice Kids UK.
All the while, she’s juggled a rapidly rising music career with the demands of her A-Level exams.
Speaking to The Irish News ahead of the semi-final, she described getting the call as incredible.
She said: “It honestly was a dream come true. I was jumping up and screaming about it. I know I’ll be a lot more nervous on Saturday, but right now I’m really excited to just perform on that big stage again and do the best that I can.”
Niamh added: “Winning would be a dream come true. It would be amazing to make my country proud.
“My family and I, we’ve had a pretty tough year. I lost both of my grandparents within a close timeframe. Granny and Granda Joe – they were always my biggest supporters. So to have all this to focus on and just be something to uplift us all has been amazing.
“I’m doing another song and I’m doing it in a different style, kind of making it my own. It’s going to be a lot different from the original. I know that Granny and Granda Joe will be watching me from heaven. I know that I will definitely do them proud with this song.”
Niamh’s mum, Deirdre told The Irish News she couldn’t be happier for her daughter.
She said: “The fact that she made it to that big stage on one occasion… to think that she gets to do it again, we are absolutely over the moon.
“We’re so proud of her, not just for her musical ability, but for how she handles herself as a lovely young woman and how she balances everything. From her A-levels, music, her over and back to London, songwriting, and she does it all with such confidence and grace and humility.
“My mum and dad were Niamh’s biggest supporters. If they were here it would have been massive for them. Regardless of whatever happens next Saturday, we’re very proud of Niamh for who she is as a young woman.”
The current series of Britain’s Got Talent is hosted by Ant & Dec, with judges Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon and KSI.
The winner will receive a £250,000 prize and a place at the Royal Variety Performance.