When 21-year-old Irish plumber Brendan Murray stepped onto The X Factor UK stage in 2018, few expected the emotional storm he was about to unleash. With a soft-spoken introduction and a humble mention of his love for music, Brendan faced the judges and contestants, determined to turn his dream into reality.

Then he sang.

Performing R.E.M.’s haunting ballad “Everybody Hurts,” Brendan delivered a version so powerful and emotionally raw that the entire room was left in stunned silence. Contestants on stage looked at each other in disbelief, some even lowering their heads—fully aware that his voice had just shifted the competition.

The crowd was captivated. The judges were visibly moved. And Simon Cowell, known for his sharp critiques and high standards, didn’t hold back.

“You are in a completely different league to everyone else we’ve seen so far,” Simon said. “You don’t even know how good you are.”

But the moment that sealed Brendan’s fate came just seconds later. Mentor Louis Tomlinson stood up, walked across the stage, and without hesitation, hit the coveted Golden X—sending Brendan straight through to the Judges’ Houses. It was the first time the Golden X had been used that season during the Six Chair Challenge.

This wasn’t just a good audition—it was a breakthrough.

Brendan’s voice wasn’t just technically strong; it was full of heart, pain, vulnerability, and power. Every note he sang seemed to carry the weight of the song’s message, and every emotion was etched on his face. As he finished his performance, he collapsed into a squat on stage, overwhelmed, possibly even in tears, as the crowd gave him a roaring standing ovation.

Brendan Murray wasn’t new to music—he had previously been a member of an Irish boyband and even represented Ireland in Eurovision—but this performance marked a rebirth. A turning point. The plumber with the golden voice had just reminded everyone that dreams don’t die; they evolve.

He would go on to impress in the live shows, delivering a range of emotional and energetic performances, before eventually bowing out in the semi-final. But by then, he had already won the hearts of millions.

From Galway to global attention, Brendan Murray’s Six Chair Challenge wasn’t just a performance—it was a moment. And according to Simon Cowell, one of the greatest he’s ever seen.

You can watch his powerful performance below — it gave the entire room chills! 🎤🔥