2010: MaBy's daughter flies in the face of feat to back mum. The Diary. Irish Independent. 13th November, 2010.
THE daughter of 'The X Factor' star Mary Byrne has revealed how she will conquer her fear of flying today to support her mother.
Deborah Byrne boards a plane today in Dublin Airport en route to tonight's 'The X Factor' show. The 23-year-old says that after weeks of putting it off, her place now is at her mother's side.
"Flying really scares me but I'm just going to have to get over it. It will be my first time on a plane in 10 years and I'm dreading it, but worth it to see mum again," Deborah said.
The Ballyfermot woman said it was seeing her mother perform on last weekend's show that had prompted her to make the trip.
Delivering a below-par performance of Faith Hill's song 'There You'll be', Mary explained to the judges: "I just had my birthday and I miss my daughter."
Watching the programme back in Dublin, Deborah had been moved to tears.
"I was with friends and relations. When mum mentioned me, everybody stopped looking at the TV and instead turned around to look at me.
"I just burst out crying. I can't describe the emotions that were going through me," said Deborah, whose mother brought her up single-handedly.
"We usually talk for an hour each night on the phone. When the show is on, I usually get a call from her about midnight to tell me about everything that has happened," she said.
Deborah said she and her mother were realistic about her chances in 'The X Factor'. Mary has continually spoken about how she entered the ITV reality show to give her daughter a better life.
"We're hoping she will make it into the last four. That would be a fantastic result. Things have changed and we both know from now on what Mum will be singing, which make us happy," she said.
"It was incredible because when they started talking, Susan Boyle said to Mary, 'I identify with you when I watch 'The X Factor' every week. It's you I want to win," said Walsh.
In tonight's live show, Mary will be singing Elton John's hit 'Can You Feel The Love Tonight?' from the soundtrack of 'The Lion King' animated film.
Back home, Mary has inspired artist Pervaneh Matthews to create a water colour of her which has attracted the attention of passers-by to the Balla Ban Art Gallery at the Westbury Mall in Dublin.
"Mary has cheered everyone up in the last few weeks. I think she is an exceptional woman and her story an inspiration to us all," said Ms Matthews.