Daniel to spend some of his €50k winnings ...on singing lessons

Wexford native Daniel Furlong took home the prize at last night's finale of the hit show, where he wowed judges and audiences alike with his renditions of You Raise Me Up and Pie Jesu.

And the teen, who was still battling the heartache of his great uncle's death last week, was beaming as he was crowned winner.

"I can't believe it, it's very exciting," said Daniel.

"I'm definitely going to spend some of the money on voice training. And I promised my brother and sister I'd buy them a car."

His mentor, Blathnaid Ni Chofaigh, sung her act's praises, saying: "A nicer fella you couldn't meet. He's a credit to his mother and apart from my own three lads, he's my fourth favourite lad in the world. For the East and the Midlands, it's a huge boost, especially to the Midlands which has had a few blows recently."

He beat out competition from Galway singer Don Stiffe and Limerick band Mad 4 Road.

Daniel has been a member of the Young Wexford Singers since he was just seven years old.

He is also no stranger to the RTE stage, having appeared on the Late Late Show in 2007, and the network's special Carols For Christmas in Wexford's Opera House in 2009.

He has previously played the lead role in Festival Productions' Oliver and also performed with Oyster Lane Theatre Company.

The student at St Peter's College in Wexford will return to school on Wednesday, and is set to get a hero's welcome from his classmates.