The Young Star Search is a kids' talent radio competition based in Northern Ireland and is the current holder of the New York Festival Gold Award for best global radio station promotion. It was also nominated two years running at the UK Arqiva Radio Awards. Most recently the competition aired on Belfast CityBeat from 2007 -2010 and invited applications from kids aged 8–16 from across Ireland and in 2010 'Young Adults' aged 17–25.
Young Star Search was developed by Northern Ireland radio presenter Stuart Robinson for Castle FM in 2002 based in Carrickfergus, the competition also ran on Bangor FM from 2004, before completely moving to Belfast CityBeat in 2007. Stuart Robinson hosted the show while judges included record producer Micky Modelle.
Due to Robinson's sudden defection in late 2010 from Belfast Citybeat to rivals Cool FM / Downtown Radio the contest was cancelled in 2011. It was unclear if, or when, the contest would return and on what station it would be broadcast. The show returned in 2014 and was broadcast on Downtown Radio and presented by Paul Orr who, like Robinson, used to be a presenter on Belfast Citybeat.
The competition held auditions in April of each year, preceded by weekly heats in different areas of Northern Ireland between May and July. The semi-final and final, featuring regional winners was staged in Belfast's main shopping centre, Castle Court in August.
Young Star Search, is the biggest talent search for young people in Northern Ireland and boosted over 1,000 entries.
The Young Star Christmas Tour was a spinoff from Young Star Search which run in 2007 and 2008 on Belfast CityBeat, the tour seen the Young Star (junior) winner from that year headline a group of young singers to perform at Christmas events around Northern Ireland, including the Belfast City Council Christmas Light Switch On. (senior winner performs solo on tour)
In 2007, Rachael Stewart was joined by five other finalists, however in 2008, separate auditions were staged to find fellow band members form Rachel Pearson.
2007 Group members:
(Song Performed - Happy Xmas War Is Over)
2008 Group members:
(Song Performed - Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree)
Stuart Robinson has been the host of Young Star Search since 2002.
| YEARS JUDGED | JUDGE | BACKGROUND | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002–2005 | Keith Semple | ITV's Popstars Group - One True Voice | |
| 2003–2004 | Maurice Jay | U105 Programme Controller | |
| 2003–2008 | Tina Calder | Sunday Life showbiz journalist | |
| 2004–2009 | Robin Elliot | NVTV & Citybeat Radio Presenter | |
| 2007 | Shaun Rogerson | The X Factor Contestant | |
| 2007–2008 | Gerard McCarthy | Hollyoaks actor | |
| 2007 | Dana | Eurovision Song Contest winner | |
| 2007 | Bel's Boys | CITV | |
| 2008 | Rachel Tucker | I'd Do Anything finalist | |
| 2008 | Niamh Perry | I'd Do Anything Finalist | |
| 2008 | Tabby Callaghan | X Factor Finalist | |
| 2008 - today | Mickey Modelle | Music producer / DJ | |
| 2008 | Jessy | Singer | |
| 2008 | Brian Kennedy | Singer | |
| 2009 | Geraldine Hughes | Actress | |
| 2009 | Emma Fitzpatrick | Sunday Life | |
| 2010 - today | John Kearns | MTV presenter | |
| 2010 - today | Amy Ryan | Belfast Telegraph |
| YEAR | LOCATION | JUNIOR WINNER | SENIOR WINNER | YOUNG ADULT WINNER | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 (Summer) | Carrickfergus | Darcy McLean | Natalie Brown | ||
| 2002 (Christmas) | Carrickfergus | Darcy McLean | N/A | ||
| 2003 (Summer) | Carrickfergus | Sophie Hollran | Michael Callahan | ||
| 2003 (Christmas) | Carrickfergus | Cloe Skelton | Casey Wallace | ||
| 2004 | Carrickfergus | Emma McBride | Julie Gower | ||
| 2004 | Bangor | Devon Crossley | Niomi Stewart | ||
| 2005 | Carrickfergus | Gemma Hall | Samantha Gray | ||
| 2005 | Newtownabbey | Kirsty Crawford | Megan McConnell | ||
| 2005 | Bangor | Hayley McCann | Kathryn Rutherford | ||
| 2006 | Carrickfergus | Cherelle Duffrin | Donald Montgomery | ||
| 2006 | Bangor | Nicole McGoogin | Tammy Corbett | ||
| 2007 | Northern Ireland | Rachael Stewart | Laura May Lenehan | ||
| 2008 | Northern Ireland | Rachel Pearson | Caitlin McClurg | ||
| 2009 | Northern Ireland | Anna Guest | Nicole Campbell | ||
| 2010 | Northern Ireland | Emma Lowry | Jessica Hammond | Saoirse Hallam |
Other judges
Runners-up