X Factor legend ‘Tesco Mary’ looks worlds away from talent show as she reveals secret connection to late Sinead O’Connor

X FACTOR legend Mary Byrne looked worlds away from the talent show as she opened up about friendship with the late Sinead O’Connor.

Irish singer Sinead died earlier this week aged 56 and Mary, 63, appeared on Vanessa Feltz‘s TalkTV show to remember her.

The former reality show contestant – nicknamed Tesco Mary due to her previous job at the supermarket – showed off a brand new look.

In the place of her longer dark hair was a sleek white pixie cut.

Vanessa asked Mary, “I think you shared some coffees and some stories and I think you bonded very deeply with Sinead O’Connor, is that right?”

Mary replied: “I did. I remember meeting her at the Irish World Awards over in the UK and afterwards we went out and had coffee and we talked about mental health and women being suppressed.

“She just had such conviction about women’s health and abuse in the church and all that. She was a lovely lady, really lovely. Apart from being the most fantastic singer ever, she was a lovely person as well.”

Mary added: “When she sang, and she sang the belter songs she was brilliant, but she could bring it back down, she could make you feel the pain she was in she could make you feel the love she had she could make you feel the happiness.”

Fellow Irish singer Mary shot to fame on the seventh series of The X Factor in 2010.

She made it all the way to the semi-final shows before being eliminated.

But Mary still nabbed a record deal and went on to release four albums.