[1] Created by producer/presenter Kevin Hough, it was run by national broadcaster RTÉ 2fm from 1982 to 2017.
[3][4][5] Winners included Naimee Coleman,[6] Elaine Hearty,[7] Laura Izibor,[8] Sarah Packiam,[9] RuthAnne,[10] Dave Geraghty[2] and 2008 Karaoke World Championships runner-up Elaine O'Halloran.
[11] Damien Dempsey was once a runner-up in the competition,[12] and other contestants have included 21 Demands (Kodaline).
[13] The 2005 winner won €8,000 of musical equipment.
[14][9] Laura Izibor's, winning song "Compatible", received constant airplay after she won the competition and RTÉ filmed a documentary of Izibor after winning the competition.