Bold headline: A teenage harpist from Co Armagh is about to captivate Britain’s Got Talent—and you’ll want to see why.
A 17-year-old from Lislea, Niamh Noade, will perform on Britain’s Got Talent this weekend. The budding singer and harpist is set to take the stage on Saturday’s episode, delivering a stripped-back, harp-led rendition of Alex Warren’s chart-topping hit “Ordinary.” Judges and audiences alike are being drawn to her “idyllic” interpretation of the track as she accompanies herself on the harp, directly in front of the judging panel and a live crowd.
A teaser clip released by ITV shows Niamh stepping out with her instrument, singing in an effort to impress the judges: Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, Simon Cowell, and 2026’s new judge, YouTuber KSI. The episode airs on ITV1 and ITVX at 7pm on Saturday, with the full audition later available on the show’s official YouTube channel.
Niamh describes herself as a singer‑songwriter and harpist who blends traditional Celtic and electric harp textures with contemporary influences. Her rising profile includes a standout moment on The Voice Kids UK in 2023, where her performance of “The Winner Takes It All” drew more than 20 million views online.
In a Belfast Telegraph interview, Niamh reflected on how her career has evolved since The Voice Kids, where she was mentored by Ronan Keating. She recalled performing at the Nordic Business Forum in Norway and Finland, singing to an audience of more than 10,000 as one of the high points of her music career and a moment that helped her refine her artistic identity. She described her sound as relaxing and “quite chilled”—a singer‑songwriter vibe centered around the harp.
Niamh also spoke about releasing her single “Halcyon” during a Belfast in‑store event, celebrating the debut of an electric harp that was generously gifted by a donor who wished to remain anonymous. “I was so surprised,” she said. “The generosity was really touching.”
Her performance history includes sharing the stage at Newry Town Hall with Frances Black for a duet of “When You Say Nothing at All,” a classic popularized by Black’s own mentorship. She recalled the backstage moment when Frances invited her to duet—an opportunity she accepted without hesitation because of Frances Black’s iconic status in Irish music.
Beyond TV appearances, Niamh has appeared on The One Show and anticipates new original music releasing in summer 2026. She has indicated plans to drop additional original tracks this year, drawing inspiration from artists such as Lizzy McAlpine and Phoebe Bridgers to shape her indie‑pop sound.
Britain’s Got Talent continues this Saturday at 7pm on ITV1 and ITVX, and Niamh’s full audition is expected to be uploaded to the show’s YouTube channel after the broadcast.
