Chasing a dream - teen delighted to duet with Lightbody

9 October 2024

Robbie Meredith

Education and Arts Correspondent BBC Northern Ireland

Conor invited Gary Lightbody to sing with him

BBC Gary Lightbody sings into a microphone on stage wearing a blue jacket. Behind him is a blue screen with white letters. — Conor invited Gary Lightbody to sing with him

Many people dream of singing a hit song with their favourite band or rock star.

For 19-year-old Conor Bruen that dream has come true.

The Belfast teenager who is autistic sang Snow Patrol's hit Chasing Cars alongside the band's Gary Lightbody.

The pair's duet has gone viral on social media.

19-year-old Conor Bruen sang Snow Patrol's hit Chasing Cars alongside the band's Gary Lightbody

Teenager Conor Bruen smiles at the camera in a grey hoodie. He has brown hair and blue eyes. — 19-year-old Conor Bruen sang Snow Patrol's hit Chasing Cars alongside the band's Gary Lightbody

But according to Conor, their meeting came about entirely by accident.

He was attending his weekly music class at Drake Music NI on Belfast's Springfield Road when he spotted the Snow Patrol star in a meeting in a room nearby.

"I was recording my own music and then I said: 'Gary, is this too noisy? Should I close the door":[]}