Joanna Ashton won the boyzone text competition in Birmingham on 16th June. Here’s her story, thanks for sharing Joanna and great photo Ro!!

The moment I got into the NIA I saw the poster for the competition and entered straight away. I entered once and my Mom entered once on her phone for me. I have been a fan since I was about 10 and I am now 23. I have entered every competition going over the years and have never won. Before the show I remember going I would love to meet Ronan but I never will. I have met Shane and Stephen before.

When Stephen said he was going to ring the winner – my phone started to vibrate and I saw a number I did not recognise. Rather than think it must be me, I thought whats my brother or boyfriend doing ringing me at this point from someone else’s phone. Saying that now, it sounds madness to think that! I answered and said hello but heard someone else scream and put the phone down. I was on the front row and thought if Stephen sees me he will think its me and I will look stupid because as if it would be me! My Mom was going no its not you don’t worry. Then during the next song I got another phone call, but obviously could not hear a word the person was saying. So I text them saying who is this? I got a text back saying its Boyzones tour manager where are u? I shall come and get you. I couldn’t believe it and went over to the security and showed them the text. I went round the back and kept saying I’m scared I cannot believe this is happening. He told me to come back after Better and he would take me on stage. I couldn’t concentrate on the show for the next few songs, I had butterflies.

Had to go round the back, tripped on a few wires on my way lol. Then up to the side of the stage. I couldnt see any of boyzone. The tour manager said when I say go walk up towards that dancer and Keith will come and get you! I kept saying to the tour manager this is so surreal. So I walked on and then Keith walked up to me and gave me a hug and asked me my name. He then asked Ronan to come over and give me a hug. When I was hugging him I actually thought I was going to cry but managed to keep myself together but had the biggest grin on my face. I then had a hug and kiss off all of them. Keith asked how i was and i said scared. He said do we scare u and i went nooo. He said I was really brave and then asked who I was with so i pointed to my Mom on the front row. He waved and said she looked like my sister and asked Ronan to take a photo of her but then said he was joking. My Mom loved that of course! He asked if I was enjoying the show and of course I said it was fantastic! Next was the group photo, where I think I had the biggest grin on my face ever. Then it was weird it was like they had forgot what to do, Ronan looked at me and keith like what next? I wondered whether they had been told I was coming on since they never heard from me during the phone call. There was so much I wanted to say about how much this was a dream come true. But I stayed quiet and just kept smiling – i was just a bit star struck. Then keith said well thats it. i looked a bit like i didnt know what to do and Shane took my hand and walked me down the stairs of the stage. From the stage the steps look like they are lit up but on the stage they are pitch black. So at first I was grining thinking I cannot believe I am holding Shane’s hand and then I am thinking I am going to fall down the stairs! I told Shane I can’t see the stairs he said I know its difficult and laughed saying it takes a while to get used to. He then told me where every step was. Then Keith jokingly said Shane dont go taking her round the back her Mom’s watching

When I was walking back to my seat I noticed Ronan had taken a photo of himself on my camera which I love! During the rest of the show Stephen and Shane smiled and winked at me a few times and I was smiling continually! The moment went so quickly and whilst I was on stage it didn’t feel real, I just couldn’t believe what was happening. After the show a few people came up to me saying I was great and really confident. It was then that it started hitting me that this actually happened! I still haven’t stopped talking about it! I would like to thank Boyzone for making my dream come true. I shall never forget June 16th!

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