In May 2019, 23-year-old student Mark McMullan decided to try his luck auditioning for Britain’s Got Talent.
The singer traveled from North Ireland to participate in the show. When he got on the stage, it was clear he was both excited and nervous.
Mark began by telling the judges that he was going to sing the classic song “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserables. Judge Alesha immediately asked if there was a reason that he chose that song, and Mark nodded.
Mark explained that he chose the song in tribute to his older brother Declan, who suffered from a condition called Locked-in syndrome.
When Declan was 19, he suffered a stroke that damaged part of his brainstem. The stroke left Declan paralyzed—he can only move his eyes.
“He’s trapped inside his own body, the only thing he can really do is hear, so my music kind of became a big comfort for him”, Mark told the judges. “The only way I can describe it is it’s like being buried alive.”
Mark said that Declan can’t speak to him or his parents. But he loves Mark’s singing, and so Mark uses his voice as a way to connect with his brother.
Mark has been performing ‘Bring Him Home’ for Declan for years. In 2015, a video of Mark singing the song at a pub in North Ireland went viral.
Mark was just 17 at the time this video went viral, and he thought about going to London to try to make it as a singer. But in the end, he decided to stay in Ireland to be close to his parents and Declan. He began studying to be an architect.
Still, Mark never forgot about his dreams of being a singer. And in 2019, he finally got a chance to audition for Britain’s Got Talent.
Mark’s whole family came out to see him perform on the show. Before Mark began singing, the camera panned over to the audience, where Declan was proudly watching his brother up on the stage.
“He [Declan] doesn’t those opportunities in life now,” Mark told Metro. “He can’t just get up and do things, so I feel I have an obligation to try and do those things either with him or for him.”
The music began, and Mark started singing. He had a beautiful, operatic voice that was perfect for the song.
Mark also poured his heart and soul into the song—there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Mark belted out, “Hear my prayers, bring him home!” All four of the judges had tears in their eyes as they watched Mark sing for his brother.
When Mark finished, the judges quickly gave him four yeses! The talented singer clearly deserved to move onto the next round.
“He’s lucky to have a brother like you. You brought meaning to that song I hadn’t thought about before,” Simon Cowell told Mark. “I wouldn’t be surprised off the back of this that you start getting calls from West End producers, possibly Broadway producers, because you’re that good.”
Mark was thrilled that he was moving on, and he was also so happy that he could share his victory with his beloved big brother. If you want to see Mark’s incredible rendition of “Bring Him Home,” check out the video below.
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