RONAN KEATING

The Irish crooner hits our shores this month for a series of concerts. We caught up with the former Boyzone star to find out more

Are you excited about visiting South Africa?

Yes, very much so. I’ve actually visited South Africa many times. Last year my wife, Storm, and I honeymooned in Kruger National Park.

When we’re in South Africa it will be our first wedding anniversary, so we’re hoping to do something special again.

What can fans expect at your concerts?

I’ll be playing stuff off my new record, Time Of My Life, as well as old hits.

Tell us a bit more about the new album.

It’s an acoustic record which I wrote at home in my kitchen in London.

It’s a very personal album, right from the heart. It’s about my experiences, where I’ve been, where I’m going. My wife actually sings some backing vocals on it. It’s a very special record.

Your wife is an Australian TV producer and both of you travel a lot. How do you make your marriage work?

I do The Voice in Australia for seven weeks, then it’s back to the UK. It’s a bit crazy but we make it work.

How would you describe yourself in your Boyzone years compared with what you’re like now?

Oh, I was a child back then! And it all went by in a flash.

I’m a totally different human being now. I’m far more confident and comfortable in my own skin. I feel like I’m in my prime now.

You recently had a new tattoo done – the co-ordinates of three cities. Can you tell us about that?

Yes. There’s Dublin, Ireland, where I was raised and where my kids live [he has three children from his first marriage to Yvonne Connolly, whom he split from in 2012]; Sydney, Australia, where I met my wife; and Archerfield in Scotland where we got married.

Do you still keep in touch with your Boyzone bandmates?

Oh yeah, we speak all the time. And we get together and braai.

Do you have any rituals before you go on stage?

SAbout an hour before I’ll lock the door and say a prayer, warm up my voice and just focus.