Idol star's dad on LFC message

The 18-year-old singer moved to Texas from Liverpool when she was eight and now she is going strong in the last six of talent contest American Idol.

Hollie already has a massive following in the States and last week her popularity extended all the way to Melwood, where Jamie Carragher and the Liverpool squad recorded a special message of encouragement.

And her dad, Peter, told Liverpoolfc.tv how his daughter switched 'right into Scouse mode' when Carra's good luck message was broadcast live to around 20 million viewers on Wednesday night's show.

"Hollie has got this hybrid accent - a kind of blend between Scouse and Texan," explained Peter. "But as soon as she saw Carra's face flash up on the big screen, she was like a little girl again and it was all: 'Oh my God!' in this very distinguished Scouse tone.

"I didn't have a clue that the lads had recorded the message and it was going to be shown on the show. Neither did Hollie. My jaw just hit the floor when I saw Carra and Hollie couldn't contain her excitement."

It was at that point Ryan Seacrest, who hosts the show, asked the 18-year-old, 'can you translate what they just said?!'

So far, Hollie has wowed American audiences performing hits such as Rolling in the Deep and Son of a Preacher Man but would she ever be tempted to sing You'll Never Walk Alone?

"Hollie was considering it," explained Peter. "It's one of her favourite songs. Her grandad, who passed away, was a season ticket holder at Anfield and she used to sing it with him.

"Unfortunately, it's been done before in one of the previous seasons of the show. Hollie thought about singing it and it would have been great."

As the latter stages of the competition near, more of the contestants' home-lives are included in the program as audiences get to know the singers. And one aspect of Hollie's home life has featured prominently on the show.

And that is her pet dog, Shankly.

"They film a lot of clips from our home life to feature in the show and Shankly is always part of that," said Peter. "I'm sure I don't have to explain to everyone who comes on Liveproolfc.tv about the history of the dog's name.

"But over here they're not so sure. Hollie hasn't really explained about Shankly but absolutely everyone knows she supports the Reds."

"And she is a massive Red. She's been a Liverpool fan since she was young but really she's had no choice! All her family are massive supporters. I follow the team from over here.

"I was at the Carling Cup final in February and after Hollie's show in Los Angeles, I caught a British Airways flight straight away, back to England for the FA Cup semi-final against Everton."

And how did Hollie feel about that?

"She was made up for me!" said Peter. "I think she was a bit jealous, really, but she was happy that I was there. I'll be there again for the final against Chelsea."

Hollie will tour with her fellow performers from the show regardless of whether she emerges as the winner of the competition. And for the young star and her father, the summer tour will be an ideal chance for the pair to take in a Liverpool match together when the Reds squad embark on an American summer tour of their own.

"Hollie will be off on tour this year, so hopefully it means we'll be going to watch the lads during their American tour - I'm already excited about it but it just depends on where the Reds are playing."

And finally, Hollie must have a favourite player?

"It's got to be Stevie Gerrard," said Peter. "She likes them all but Gerrard is her heart-throb!"