Tommy Reilly swapped the pop star life in favour of making music for movies and TV shows.
Now 35, the former TV talent show winner reflects on his journey from fleeting fame to a rewarding career behind the scenes.
Tommy Reilly was just 19 when he entered a Channel 4 talent show offering a recording contract, a £60,000 lump sum, and a potential music career. Despite his modest expectations, the singer-songwriter from Torrance, East Dunbartonshire won the competition. However, after 18 months and a few chart hits, he found himself disheartened with the pop star life, prompting a return to Glasgow to enrol in art college.
Reilly recounted travelling from Glasgow to London with his father for the contest, hopeful of networking opportunities and a few gigs.
During the show, Reilly met celebrities like Lily Allen, The View, McFly, and Blur’s Alex James.
After winning, Reilly experienced the perks of pop stardom instantly.
As the demands of a pop star’s life became clear, he realised he wasn’t suited for it.
Disillusioned with the industry, he moved back to Glasgow.
Back in Glasgow, Reilly seized an opportunity to work on a Scottish indie movie.
Reilly’s journey from a TV talent show winner to a successful Emmy-award winning composer highlights the unpredictable nature of fame and the importance of staying true to oneself. While his initial brush with stardom was not sustainable, it paved the way for a fulfilling career in film and TV music.
