Chris Doran, (born 22 November 1979) from Waterford, Ireland was the winner of Ireland’s You’re A Star 2003-2004 talent search competition to find Ireland’s Eurovision Song Contest entry. The competition held auditions throughout Ireland, and the winners went through to the final stages, with one act eventually decided on. The show was aired on RTÉ.
Chris Doran won the competition but there was controversy after Star Sunday revealed his song, “If My World Stopped Turning” written by Westlife’s Brian McFadden, had been recorded by senior industry figures in the same studio used by Westlife and The Corrs. This was a contrast to the runner-up James Kilbane, whose track had been done “in house” by You’re A Star’s own arranger. This led to a marked difference in the sound of both tracks.
Doran represented Ireland in the 49th Eurovision Song Contest, in Istanbul, Turkey in May 2004, finishing 23rd out of 24 with a very nervous and sweaty performance, and wearing an ill-advised garment resembling a car-coat. He released two singles “If My World Stopped Turning” and “Nothing’s Gonna Change My Love For You” over the following two years and continues to make special public and endorsement appearances (such as the opening of WLR FM and Beat 102-103’s Broadcast Centre in Ardkeen, Waterford.)
He is currently on the judging panel for a new reality talent show, entitled “Sony Centre Star Search”, on Waterford’s WLR FM. It is in association with WLR FM and The Sony Centre on the inner ring road in Waterford “Waterford’s first and best Sony Centre”. Elaine Power and Billy McCarthy of WLR FM are also on the judging panel. The first round of auditions were held in Minnies, Dungarvan on the 25th of August 2006 and in the Tower Hotel, Waterford, on the 26th of August 2006.
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