My not so hidden interest is… my love of Muay Thai. I love fighting and combat sports. I’d watch two pigeons fighting over a piece of cheese. I have done since I was a child, but I took up Muay Thai when I was about 32. I was sick of trying to get fit on the treadmill, so I started hitting pads one day.
There is nothing more important than… family. That includes my girlfriend, who’s my rock. And those people who back me and are genuinely happy for me, they’ve been pulled even closer since Covid. When my mum and dad passed away, everybody showed up to the funerals, but not everybody showed up for the rest of the year, for the really dark moments. True friends are the ones who check in and although you may not talk to them for months, you pick up where you left off.
The advice I’d give my 16-year-old self is… don’t sweat about the small stuff. And I’d also say, “You’re in the right place.” I found music at an early age and I always questioned if it was the right thing. One mentor in particular, a hugely successful songwriter, told me when I was 16 that the only difference between him and me was trying. That I should keep doing what I was doing, keep chipping away and eventually it’ll happen.
I relax by… being creative. Me and my missus are not great at watching TV, so she sews a lot and paints. If she’s not trying to fit a new T-shirt on me, we’re making clay things together – not in a Ghost way!
If the world was going to end tomorrow… I’d watch the last sunset with my girlfriend. I’ve had an incredible life so far and I live life to the fullest, so I regret nothing.
I’d like to be remembered as… someone who faces his fears. Singing, public speaking, jumping out of a plane, tightrope walking between two buildings and meeting The Queen all terrify me – but I’ve done them all. I’ve realised that fear is your friend.
The best day of my life was… when The Script became the first band in history from Ireland to get to No1 in the UK and Ireland with their debut album. I’ve had a lot of great days, but nothing is going to beat that.
The best thing my parents taught me was… to be nice and treat everybody the same, whether you’re talking to the doorman or meeting The Queen. And to be honest, it’s worked for me so far. No airs, no graces. Just smiles and happy faces.
My greatest weakness is… I’m a sucker for a sob story, although I don’t think that’s a weakness. My mum always helped people – she gave buskers money, helped homeless people, we’d have runaways in our house. Everybody has a story and deserves to be heard. I can’t walk past a busker without throwing them money. Hit me with a sob story and I’m pretty much yours.
