X Factor star Mary Byrne totally unrecognisable 15 years after starring alongside Liam Payne
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X Factor star Mary Byrne is looking almost unrecognisable from her time on the ITV talent show, some 15 years after appearing alongside One Direction and Liam Payne. The 65-year-old Irish singer found fame on the 2010 version, impressing judges Simon Cowell, Louis Walsh, Cheryl and Katy Perry with her rendition of Tom Jones song, I Who Have Nothing. She was affectionately dubbed 'Tesco Mary' at the time by fans as she worked for the retailer in Ireland.
In the year that Matt Cardle beat Rebecca Ferguson and One Direction to the winning spot, Mary came a fabulous fifth as she wowed audiences with her voice and performances. Back then, Mary was rocking brunette hair with fringe but latest pics show her with a white blonde cropped hairstyle.
While still enjoying singing, Mary, 65, is also a podcaster and hosts The Wise Owl Wans Podcast with Irish actress and writer Eilish O'Carroll, 72. Mary is also starring in pantomime, playing the Fairy Godmother in Cinderella at Liberty Panto in Dublin.
In promotional images for her panto performance, Mary poses in a white frilly dress with coiffed pink hair, a long way from her X Factor looks. Since her time on the ITV show, Mary has starred in a musical alongside Linda Nolan and has performed on Mediterranean cruises with Sir Cliff Richard.
Following the death of her fellow X Factor star, Liam Payne, Mary has admitted that she has struggled to "come to terms" with is tragic passing. Speaking to The Sun, Mary said: "I wouldn't say fame wasn't for him but I would say that they went far too big, far too quick, they literally burned out after five years.".
