Mary Byrne sing Neil Diamond's songs

X Factor contestant Mary Byrne will be Neil Diamond's support act at the Aviva, was singing Neil Diamond songs in front of regulars in her local pub

In an interview with the Irish Independent, she said: "Am I excited about it? I still can't believe it's happening.

"It's just been this huge, huge secret for the past few weeks, I wanted to tell people but couldn't.

"I've loved Neil Diamond since I got my first record player and here I am playing with him in my hometown."

Byrne will be perform in front of a crowd of 45,000 at the second concert to take place at the Aviva stadium on Saturday 25th June at 8pm.

She added: "The scale of this is something I don't think I will understand until I walk out on stage. Heaven help me what it's going to feel like."

Neil Diamond Tickets UK Tour Summer 2011

Neil Diamond will come back for a brief mini-tour in the summer of 2011.

On Tuesday June 28th,Neil Diamond will emabark on his tour as he opens his mini-tour at the LG Arena in Birmingham.

The tour will conclude on Saturday July 2nd for an appearance at Hampden Park in Glasgow.

Following the performance at the Manchester Evening News Arena on the 4th of July.

The world renown crooner draws the 4-date tour to a close on Saturday, July 9th, with a performance at London’s O2 arena.

Neil Diamond in New Zealand, 2011