Ireland's “X Factor” star, Mary Byrne is suffering from a throat infection and has lost her voice. The Dublin woman saw a doctor yesterday and is hopeful she will recover in time for the next installment of the song contest, this Saturday night.

A source said yesterday: “She could not even finish rehearsing her song yesterday. She is off to the doctor to try and get it all sorted.”

Mary was also struck down with laryngitis at the beginning of last month, but made a quick recovery in time for the show.

Last week judges praised the Tesco checkout worker, saying she had got her Mojo back.