Introductions... Kate Thornton: Okay, now we're back to the 16 to 24s and Simon.
Simon Cowell: Next up it's Ray.
Intro clip... Ray: Since the first audition this is the point where I wanted to be so badly.
Simon Cowell: Ray represents this category possibly better than anybody else - great smile, bundles of charm and energy and that's what you want.
Ray: This is the biggest opportunity that I've had and I wanna make the most of it.
Simon Cowell: I gave him a chance and this is his moment. This is what he has waited all his life to do.
Ray: I just want to give it me all when I get out there an' really enjoy it. Make me family proud, make Simon proud and make everyone go "Whoa!"
Back live...
Kate Thornton: Ladies and gentlemen, its Ray!
(Cheers And Applause.)
Ray sings...
¯ Ben, the two of us need look no more ¯ We both found what we were looking for ¯ With a friend to call my own ¯ I'll never be alone ¯ But you, my friend, will see ¯ You've got a friend in me ¯ (You've got a friend in me) ¯ Ben, you're always running here and there ¯ (Here and there) ¯ You feel you're not wanted anywhere ¯ (Anywhere) ¯ If you ever look behind ¯ And don't like what you find ¯ There's something you should know ¯ You've got a place to go ¯ (You've got a place to go) ¯ I used to say ¯ (Used to say) ¯ 'I' and 'me' ¯ ('I' and 'me') ¯ Now it's 'us' ¯ (Now it's 'us') ¯ Now it's 'we' ¯ (Now it's 'we') ¯ Ben, the two of us need look no more ¯ We both found what we were looking for ¯ If you ever look behind ¯ And don't like what you find ¯ There's something you should know ¯ You've got a place to go ¯ (Like Ben) ¯ Like Ben ¯ (Like Ben) ¯ Like Be-e-e-e-en ¯
(Cheers And Applause.)
Louis Walsh: Hey Ray! You've got a big smile, you've got a great personality, and you're a great, great performer. You remind me a little bit of a young Donny Osmond... (Ray laughs) ...and I know all the mammies... I know all the mammies are gonna like you, watching tonight... but you haven't got the best voice in the competition (Ray nods) and I think you're gonna have to work harder on your vocals...
Ray: Yeah, I know.
Louis Walsh: ...to stay in the competition Ray. (Some Boos) But you know, your personality and your smile make up for your voice...
Ray: Cool, thank you.
Louis Walsh: But you know, it's a tough competition.
Ray: Thank you.
Sharon Osbourne: You're very confident, Ray, and I love that about you. And you... you have this infectious smile, that when people look at you you just make them smile and you're just (a) very nice young boy and I'm... I must agree with Louis that I think that mums will absolutely adore you. (Ray Laughs) They will!
Ray: That's all right!
Sharon Osbourne: Listen, you'll take that! (Ray laughs)
Simon Cowell: Ray, I'm not going the patronise you and tell you that it was the best vocal because it was far away from the best vocal we've heard tonight particularly when you hear people like Robert and Ben. But this is a different kind of performance and it was difficult for me to choose the right song for you... but what was important to me was it had to be believable and the great thing about what you did tonight was it was believable and it showed... it showed the vulnerable side of you... (Cheers) ...and you have... you have something which is rare but very important, you have the likeabillty factor. But, we are gonna have to work very hard, you and I, to get your vocals up to scratch. For a first performance under this pressure it was good enough, well done.
Ray: Thank you.
(Cheers And Applause.) Ray: I just er, I just, I just wanna say like, I'm absolutely made up to be here and thank you again for the boot camp and all that, and giving me that opportunity. It really meant so much to me and to be here today... it means a lot. (Cheers)
Kate Thornton: Okay, thanks judges. (Ray crosses the stage to join her. Off-mike...) You okay?
Ray: I'm good, yeah, I'm good.
Kate Thornton: Yeah?
Ray: He-he! Sound.
Kate Thornton: (On mike) Mixed bag of comments there Ray?
Ray: Yeah, yeah. No, I mean I agree with them totally and you know, they're the three best people in the business, like, and you know, I respect them for that an' I will take it all on board and sort it 'cause you know, I want to have a better voice than I've got 'n', you know, I mean it's all right. I think it's all right but... (Cheers)
Kate Thornton: Do you think you did okay?
Ray: Yeah, I thought I did good, yeah. I really... the main thing about me is... the main thing about me is if I enjoy me performance I know, I know I've done all right an' I really enjoyed it 'an'...
Kate Thornton: Let's see if the people at home did. It's their votes that you need tonight Ray... (Kate gives out the voting numbers) ...Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for Ray.