Boyband stars perform at Antrim launch event as local restaurateur diversifies into big prize competitions

IT wasn’t your average Thursday night in Antrim last week when boyband royalty took to the stage at Moe’s Grill to help launch a big money raffle organised by a local businessman.

Local stand-up comic Adam Mogey and his Belfast counterpart Paddy McDonnell also performed at the event, which was compered by radio presenter Robin Elliott and attended by a plethora of journalists, influencers and business people, including Travis Skelton of The Wedding Centre in Randalstown.

The Millionaire House Club draw, which costs £50 to enter, is offering a prize of a Portrush penthouse with a sea view, ‘his and hers’ BMW cars and Rolex watches, plus a first class trip to Dubai with £25,000 spending money - or a £1m cash alternative.

On Thursday night, Boyz on Block - made up of Shane Lynch (Boyzone), Abz Love (5ive), ‘Big’ Ben Ofoedu (Phats & Small) and Dane Bowers (Another Level) took turns on the decks and sang hits from all of their careers including Out of Your Mind, Be Alone No More, Bomb Diggy and Freak Me, Turn Around, Everybody Get Up, Keep On Movin, Slam Dunk and Got The Feelin’.

The foursome formed in 2019 and between them boast 38 UK Top 10 hits. Ofoedu was also the long term partner of television personality and journalist Vanessa Feltz.

Ahead of their performance, Mr Lynch said that the competition was ‘a new concept that will bring people together’ and would support families and the community.

Darren Clarke, owner of Moe’s Grill and son of the late Denny Clarke who founded a chain of restaurants in Antrim, spoke emotionally of how his company was ‘more than a business, it’s a a family’.

He has told the Antrim Guardian that his business has now diversified into organising competitions and raffles, after the restaurant trade was hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic.

And in a nod to local entertainment logistics company Event Tech NI, who helped set up the stage rig, Dane Bowers launched: “I thought I was at Wembley with these lights!”

The party went on late into the night, with the popstars mingling and posing for pictures with fans. Comic Mr Mogey, who has also spoken publicly about living with Tourette’s Syndrome, posted a picture of himself with Shane Lynch at the Portrush penthouse last week, saying: “Here’s a duo you didn’t think you needed. Delighted to announce I am one of the brand ambassadors and competition host for Millionaire House Club.

“This is a new exciting competition. Shane Lynch heard he was meeting me and decided to throw the suit on, bless him. Also, this will be the last photo myself and Shane will be in together. Good looking big ***** making me look like a thumb.

“Keep your eyes peeled and get involved...a few lives will be changing.”

Mr Mogey will also be doing live online draws for Mr Clarke’s competions. Speaking of his experiences on the night last week, Mr Mogey added: “Was a pleasure as always gigging with Paddy McDonnell. Millionaire House Club, what a night!

“I felt like my ‘Now That’s What I Call Music 30’ CD came to life, opening up the show for Shane Lynch, Dane Bowers, Abz and Ben. Surreal!”

Millionaire House Club founder Mr Clarke told the Antrim Guardian: “The evening went perfectly, it was really great to see everyone enjoying themselves.

“It is brilliant to have brand ambassadors like Boyz on Block. We will be launching the competition in Dubai too and Dane Bowers, who lives there, will be brand ambassador for us there.

“Adam Mogey is a local guy who is very talented and popular and he will be conducting the draws for us, along with some special guests.

“At the minute it is all systems go.”

Mr Clarke explained why he decided to go into the competition business.

“Covid really hit the restaurant trade hard and at the same time, I was starting to get interested in these competitions, but I could see flaws in what other people were doing.

“A lot of the draws are someone filming a computer screen with a phone, there is no excitement, there isn’t often anyone else on the screen, it is a bit of a damp squib and a let down for people who may have paid a lot of money to enter.

“In our competitions, the draws themselves will be events and give people something to look forward too.

“There will also be multiple winners and not just one person benefitting.

“All the prizes are self funded by me, I am the sole owner and I take a lot of pride in that.

“Some of the competitions will be based on game shows, we have one based on Play Your Cards Right, where entrants can guess the values of items, which will certainly garner a lot of interest.

“It’s a different concept and no one else is doing what we are doing with competitions right now and I hope people feel they have a chance of winning, some of these prizes will change peoples’ lives.

“There will also be lots of free giveaways and opportunities for people to enter for free, too.”

A website is currently being set up and Millionaire House Club can be found on Facebook.