Cillian O'Connor's magical performance on Britain’s Got Talent has inspired a nine-year-old boy with autism to utter his first words.
The 14-year-old cast a spell on the UK audience to come third in the talent show, narrowly missing out on the €250,000 top prize.
But for Cillian, who has autism and dyspraxia, the biggest reward was using his platform to encourage other children on the spectrum to follow their dreams.
READ MORE - Irish magician Cillian O'Connor secured huge number of votes in Britain's Got Talent final
His proud mum Elaine told us: "We are getting hundreds of letters and emails.
"One woman told us her son was non-verbal, but now all he keeps saying is ‘Cillian, Cillian, Cillian’.
"She said she keeps putting the magic on the telly for him to watch Cillian.
"He spoke for the first time after he saw Cillian’s performance."
Meath teen Cillian said he had no regrets about coming third, and wished winner Viggo Venn well. He added: "I don’t think Viggo getting booed was right. It was a terrible thing for the audience to do just because their favourite didn’t win."
Cillian came away empty-handed from the show but he said getting to the final was “a dream come true” and would open doors for him.
Asked if he’d had any offers from show boss Simon Cowell since the grand final, he coyly replied: "I can’t say, maybe..."
He added: "We’re pretty sure I’m going to be getting some opportunities.
"They let me go to the Magic Circle in London so that was good.
"I’m also a member of the Society of American Magicians... I hope that will eventually lead to a gig in Vegas.
"In 10 years from now I will probably have my own show in Vegas."
Cillian’s parents vowed to buy Cillian a Playstation 5 for reaching the BGT final and they said they would make good on their promise.
With not a trace of false modesty, Cillian confided he had his eye on "the 3Arena for sure".
He added: "But I also plan on being a guest when Patrick Kielty starts hosting The Late Late Show. Fingers crossed."
READ NEXT:
- Judges and viewers react to Irish Britain's Got Talent star Cillian O'Connor's performance in final
- Britain's Got Talent fans react to final verdict as Irish teen Cillian O'Connor places third
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