Louis Walsh backing Mary Byrne's career

Mary Byrne has the "100 per cent" support of former 'X Factor' mentor Louis Walsh.

The Irish singer - who made it through to the semi-final of the last series of Simon Cowell's TV talent show - is soon releasing her debut album 'Mine and Yours' and reveals although Simon has not heard her LP, Louis has been a constant source of support.

She exclusively told BANG Showbiz: "Louis has heard the album he thinks it's fantastic. I don't know about Simon, I'm sure we'll hear from Simon soon. Sony/Island and all of Syco are absolutely delighted with it. Louis just text me and said, 'Album is fantastic. I knew you could do it.'

"Louis and I text, he texts me, I text him, we keep in touch like that. He's not involved directly unfortunately but he has told me on numerous occasions he is totally behind me 100 per cent and he'll always be there supporting me."

Discussing the album, 51-year-old Mary confesses it is not her usual sound, and will promote her first single with a performance on shopping channel QVC.

She said: "I've heard the album and I was in shock half the time because I couldn't believe it was me singing. It was totally different. I never thought I could do it. There's a beautiful song 'I Just Call You Mine' which I'm singing live on Monday on QVC.

"But it's not my type of song that I would usually sing but it's just so different. The meaning in the lyrics; some of it reminds me of my daughter, some of it reminds me of me. It has really lovely lyrics."