ITV Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream: How Holywood took a chance on finalist Owen

Owen Johnston had his hometown's backing as a finalist on ITV's musical theatre show Mamma Mia! I Have A Dream.

At his old school in Holywood, County Down, pupils had even swapped singing Christmas carols for Abba songs.

St Patrick's Primary is the same school that golfer Rory McIlroy attended.

"The 10-year-old boy who was scared to tell his mates in his classroom that he'd seen Mamma Mia! three times at the cinema would be beside himself," Owen said about his appearance on the show.

And although he did not win, the 25-year-old could now be destined for a glittering global career in theatre after appearing in Sunday's grand final.

Four finalists battled it out in the hope of taking on the iconic roles of Sophie and Sky in the hit West End show, Mamma Mia!

The popular show features the music of Swedish pop band Abba.

The final saw both live solo performances from London and a special group performances from Greece - where the show is set.

Over the course of eight weeks, a panel of celebrity judges - which included Alan Carr, Jessie Ware, Samantha Barks and Amber Riley - decided which contestants went through each week.

But during the final it was up to the UK public to decide which of the four finalists would take on the lead roles in the stage show.

Stevie Doc and Tobias Turley were crowned series winners on Sunday.

"I just want to say thank you to everybody who has supported me on this whole journey," Owen said after the results were announced.

"Thank you to everybody that voted, I couldn't have got here without the support."

When Owen was a teenager, his mum Marie took him on a trip to London to see Phantom of the Opera. He fell in love with musical theatre and knew he wanted a career in the industry.

"It means the world for so many people to have backed me over the years," said Owen ahead of Sunday's final.

"I owe it not only to myself but all of them as well. It would be an incredible feeling to win."

His mum attended Sunday's live final.

"Yes, I'm nervous but whatever happens, Owen has done a wonderful job," she told BBC News NI ahead of the show.

"I'm incredibly proud of him and I know he's now on the platform to being discovered, hopefully in the future."

One of his former teachers at St Patrick's, Martin Sherlock, said: "As a young pupil, he was - and still is - a mannerly, intelligent, happy, fun character. A good guy."

Like Rory McIlroy, Owen also went to Sullivan Upper School in Holywood after St Patrick's.

Pupils there had been showing their support for the former pupil too.

Sullivan had also taken to social media to wish Owen luck.

Sunday's final was staged in the Novello theatre in the heart of London's West End.