Malachi Cush

Malachi was working as a gas fitter when he auditioned and was selected to appear on the first series of Fame Academy in 2002. This was the first time he had ever left Northern Ireland. During the show he recorded several tracks which later appeared on the album Fame Academy Finalists, released in December 2002.

After coming fifth on Fame Academy he took part in a tour of the UK together with other finalists and was given a solo recording contract with Mercury. In March 2003, '"Keep Me A Secret" sung by Ainslie Henderson, a song that he co-wrote on the show with Henderson and Sinéad Quinn, charted at no 5 in the UK. His debut album Malachi, (released on the UMTV label) consisting mainly of covers and songs he had sung on the show, came out in March 2003, and was the first solo album to be released from any of the Fame Academy contestants. It reached 17 in the UK charts and sales topped 100,000, for which he received a silver disc. The first single from this album, the self-penned "Just Say You Love Me", failed to chart significantly in the UK but reached number 1 in Thailand. In November 2003 he visited Bangkok where he performed at several concerts, met fans and took part in radio and TV interviews.

On his return he was asked to support the BBC Children in Need Project along with Girls Aloud and Westlife at the live nationwide broadcast from the Odyssey Arena in Belfast. He was also appointed a Patron of the autism charity "Impact Trust" and took part in many of their fund raising activities.

Early in 2004 he made a solo tour of Northern Ireland, which included a concert at the Waterfront Hall, Belfast. He was awarded Best Irish Newcomer at the Irish World Awards in London in February 2005. In December 2005 he took part in the Young Voices concert at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, performing with the African Children's Choir and other young singers to a capacity audience of 8,000. He also played the lead role of Charles Charming in pantomime for the Bardic Theatre company in Northern Ireland.

After parting with Mercury, he signed with the specialist Irish music label "Emerald". In October 2005, under the name "Malachi", he released his second album, Celtic Heartbeat (Where the Heart Is), consisting of traditional Irish songs. He has also recorded two songs which appear on George Best – The Tribute Album.

On 18 February 2007, "Until We Meet Again", a song co-written by Cush and fellow Irish songwriter Don Maskill, was voted runner-up in the Eurosong 2007, the show to select Ireland's entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2007.[1] He released his third album New Day in November 2007 and was joined on the album tour by Joanne Cash, sister of Johnny Cash. Subsequently, Cash recorded a song co-written by Cush and Garth McConaghie at Amberville Studios and invited Cush out to Nashville to promote the song at the GMA week in April that year.

Cush now works mainly in Northern Ireland, performing live and supporting many charitable projects.

After acting as guest presenter on BBC Radio Ulster, he received an award for most popular radio presenter 2005 and 2008.

Cush presents a daily radio show, Six Cafe for Six FM and the Sunday Juke Box Show. Malachi currently works for UTV Belfast presenting The Seven Thirty Show and continues to enjoy a huge following for his music.

• Official website
• Emerald Music
• Malachi Cush MySpace