TWO south Derry singers have vowed it is only the beginning after narrowly missing out on a recording contract in the final of The Voice.
There was double disappointment at the weekend when Jonny Brooks and Brooke Scullion failed in their bid to win the ITV talent show.
Jonny (30), from Castledawson, and Brooke (21), from nearby Bellaghy, made it to the final of the singing competition which was broadcast on Saturday night.
However, the Derry duo were eventually pipped to top spot by 17-year-old Blessing Chitapa, who walked away with a coveted recording contract.
Jonny, who was mentored by Tom Jones, made it to the final two after duetting with the Welsh singing legend and performing a selection of songs including the Harry Styles ballad Falling.
Brooke, whose repertoire included Stevie Nicks' Edge of Seventeen, was coached by US superstar Meghan Trainor but performed on Saturday with Ella Eyre because the Covid pandemic prevented her mentor from travelling.
Taking to Twitter after the final, the Ulster University drama graduate was firmly focusing on the future.
"What a night to remember," she wrote.
"@Meghan_Trainor thank you for taking care of me through this journey. I’m lucky to call you my friend.
"Thank you to everyone for your support, it means a lot
"I’m so excited for the future - we’re only getting started."
Jonny, who studied marketing at university, has been performing, playing his guitar and singing since he was 16.
His mother Marie persuaded him to pursue The Voice and following a blind audition in Manchester he opted to team up with Tom Jones after he and Olly Murs had both turned for him.
He is also hopeful for what the future may now bring.
"The experience that I have gained and the new drive that I have found for music again is more than enough," he said.
"I feel nothing but positivity and now, it is onwards and upwards," he told Sunday Life."
The two south Derry singers are linked by their grandfathers who played GAA together at club and county level.
Both were involved with Derry in the All Ireland senior football final in 1958.
Roddy Gribbin (Jonny's grandfather) managed the team, while Patsy McLarnon (Brooke grandad) played on the side.
Ahead of the weekend Sean O'Leary's GAC, Newbridge, had pledged its support to Jonny and last night described him as an "absolute credit" on Twitter.
Backing Brooke, Bellaghy Wolf Tones tried to claim some of the credit, saying on Twitter "Brooke learned everything she knew representing our Scór teams over the years as well as being a loyal Camog".
The club later said she had represented herself, her family and "our local area so well".
