Nathan Carter has opened up about his Christmas heartache at not being able to get home to visit his ill mother and ageing grandparents.
The country music star was due to fly to Liverpool with his brother Jake on Tuesday but their flights were axed at the last minute.
The 30-year-old said he was devastated not to be reunited with his mum Noreen, who has MS and who he hasn’t seen for months.
He told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “We could have got another flight from Belfast but then we didn’t know if we could get back.
“Mam was really gutted. She got all emotional. It’s more sad for them really as they won’t be able to see us.
“Our grandad is 87 and my nan is 80 so they’re not spring chickens. Jake hasn’t seen them for nine months.”
The Wagon Wheel singer said he was “blown away” by the generosity of local restaurants who offered to deliver Christmas dinner when they learned of the lads’ plight.
He said: “It’s not beans on toast for Christmas at least.
“We’ll manage some sort of get together.”
Nathan, who is back on our screens in a two-hour TV special called An Irish Country Christmas, admitted he’d found 2020 tough going.
The singer penned a song to his pal Nicky James who passed away in February called Wings To Fly which hit No1 in the charts.
He said he couldn’t wait to get back on the road gigging – and he fully backed the Covid-19 vaccine programme.
Nathan added: “It’s great that the elderly and the vulnerable are getting it, they need.
“I would take it yes. To see Joe Biden getting it live on TV was great. You have to lead by example.
“I think as many well-known faces as possible should take it and spread the word.”
