Cornelius "Neil" Horan, sometimes referred to as The Grand Prix Priest, The Dancing Priest, or The Armageddon Priest[1] (born 22 April 1947), is a laicised Irish former Roman Catholic priest who is noted for his interference with the running of the 2003 British Grand Prix and the 2004 Summer Olympics men's marathon in order to promote his religious belief that the end times are near. He was arrested and spent some time in jail in Germany in 2006 when police found out about his plans to stage a pro-Nazi demonstration during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, which included a poster he made praising Adolf Hitler.[2]
Horan went on to appear on Britain's Got Talent in May 2009. He danced a soft jig on the show, received a standing ovation by the audience and was put through to the second round.[3] He did not make the live semi-finals.[4] In 2017, he showed his support outside court for disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris.[5] In 2022, he protested against Rishi Sunak becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom with a placard saying "Britain is a Christian country, it should have a Christian Prime Minister - not a Hindu one."[6]
- ^ Pownall, Sylvia (7 November 2021). "Irish ex-priest who cost Olympian medal and ran across F1 track plans comeback". Irish Mirror. Retrieved 27 January 2022.
- ^ "Neil Horan is arrested and jailed in Germany". Radiokerry.ie. 13 July 2006. Retrieved 19 March 2020.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
bbc-talentwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "Man who tackled Vanderlei de Lima during 2004 Olympic marathon furious runner lit Rio 2016 cauldron". The New York Times. 8 August 2016. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Infamous former priest Neil Horan spotted supporting Rolf Harris outside court in London". joe.ie. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 31 March 2022.
- ^ "Exclusive: Former Nunhead priest Neil Horan disrupts Prime Minister Sunak's big moment - Southwark News".