Daniel doesn’t give a XXXX
for Louis’s opinions
 By Phil
Campion
DISPARAGING comments by pop mogul and X-Factor judge Louis Walsh don’t
worry Donegal crooner Daniel O’Donnell in the slightest.
Ireland’s singing sensation who is one of the top 50 biggest selling
artists for the last 20 years just shrugs his shoulders and says: “Louis
who?” when asked about the music manager’s recent attack on
him.
Walsh may have guided Boyzone and Westlife to stardom but O’Donnell
is not interested in his views.
He says: “The people I would rely on for their opinion are the people
who enjoy what I do — that is the most important thing.
“I think the criticism I take heed of is from the audience who enjoy
what I do.”
In a sideswipe at Walsh O’Donnell politely asks him to keep his
own counsel. He said: “There are types of music that I don’t
appreciate but that doesn’t mean it is no good. That is the way
I look at it.”
The X-Factor judge ripped into O’Donnell on Miriam O’Callaghan’s
show and said he would have even more to say but for the wrath of his
mother Maureen.
He said: “She’s a good Irish mother and she hates when I slag
anyone and especially anyone Irish.
“She says: ‘Don’t slag Ronan Keating or Daniel O’Donnell’.”
Whatever the little man from Mayo says O’Donnell is a very popular
and successful artist but there is just one thing left in showbiz he yearns
for — a No. 1 hit.
The Donegal crooner has always been a fan of Cliff Richard and a duet
recorded with the Peter Pan of pop could make his dreams come true.
“This year I got to record a song with Cliff Richard — I have
always been a great fan of his before I ever met him,” said Daniel.
“He is doing a duet album and asked me if I would record with him.
The song we recorded is a version of the Carpenters Yesterday Once More.
“I enjoyed it immensely, so if you can put this in your mind, being
a fan of a singer and then recording a song with him it is an incredible
journey that I have been allowed to take.”
So far O’Donnell has had hits with 18 chart singles and 23 chart
albums. His album From Daniel With Love has sold over 300,000 copies and
he outsells Robbie Williams in the USA.
Unfortunately Daniel has never received British airplay to get any number
one hits.
“I would love to have a No. 1 record — if I don’t have
it I won’t die without it,” he said.
“I have recorded a lot of songs like: You Raise Me Up. If it had
got the airplay then it obviously could have been a hit like it was for
Westlife — a huge hit.
“I’ve recorded a lot of songs that could have been hits.”
The new album is another change of direction for Daniel — the nearest
he has come to producing a pop album.
Daniel also insists he won’t be leaving Ireland and said that despite
reports he was selling his Donegal home he and Majella would not be leaving
the Emerald Isle for good.
“We decided we would try and sell the house,” he said.
“It is a very large house and we realised we don’t need a
house as big as that and if we sell, it is only to build something smaller
in the area.
“I’m very fortunate that I can live at home where I was brought
up. Many people don’t have that choice and have to move away for
work.”
O’Donnell has a short break before touring again with his Christmas
show and in April he is revamping his popular rock ’n’ roll
show.
For more details contact Patsy Mulvihill on 01582 619983 or Frank Herity
on 01582 721490.
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