‘Fans used to send me bunches of bananas!’
Irish singer Ronan Keating on his boy-band days, pinch-me moments and the crazy things people have done to try to impress him
We can’t believe it’s been 20 years since Ronan Keating released his hit single Life Is A Rollercoaster. The 43 year old is celebrating two decades as a solo artist, and to mark the milestone he’s released a new album, aptly titled Twenty Twenty.
Alongside reimagined versions of some of his greatest hits, it features never-before-heard material and all-star duets with pals such as Robbie Williams.
But that’s not the only reason Ronan’s been celebrating over the past few months. In March, he and his wife of five years, Storm, welcomed their second child, baby daughter Coco – a little sister for their three-year-old son Cooper. The singer and actor is also dad to Jack, 21, Missy, 19, and Ali, 15, from his first marriage toYvonne Connolly.
Here, the former Boyzone star chats about his big showbiz birthday, his cute new arrival, and the role he’s always dreamed of playing…
Hi Ronan. Twenty years – what an amazing achievement!
I know. I was 16 at the start of all this. I had no idea I’d still be here singing. I was just riding the train and having a good time with my mates. I feel so grateful. Longevity, for me, is what I’m most proud of.
I have a lot of friends who have come and gone, but I’m still here, getting away with it.
And you’ve welcomed a new baby daughter…
Coco has been an absolute dream. She’s the most beautiful child. She sleeps through the night and is just a bright shining light in all of this madness. I feel blessed.
Tell us about the new album…
I finished Boyzone’s farewell tour and wanted to make a solo record. I was thinking I’d go to Nashville and write a country record. Then I saw the dates somewhere and thought, ‘It’s 20 years. I should really be doing something.’ I went into the studio and started reworking When You Say Nothing At All
and Life Is A Rollercoaster
and I was also writing a bunch of songs at the same time. So it happened by accident. And it’s been a really nice accident.
What’s the new version of Rollercoaster
like?
I did five productions of Rollercoaster and kept getting it wrong. It kept sounding like a karaoke version of my own song, which was just weird. But it was my son Jack who helped me go for a daft punk-style version.
Boyzone have some pretty hardcore fans. What do people usually say to you when they meet you?
I get people coming up to me all the time and talking to me about my songs. I’ve got a few songs that turn up at weddings, which is nice, but you do have to ask if they’re still together.
Have you ever had any weird gifts in the post?
Back in the 90s, we had some odd things sent to us. All you had to say in Smash Hits magazine was what your favourite aftershave was and the fans sent it to you – or your favourite fruit! People used to send me bananas, which was always strange when they arrived in the post.
Have you ever been freaked out by a fan?
I remember one time in Italy a fan dressed up as a waiter and tried to deliver room service to my hotel room. I hadn’t ordered anything and it was pretty scary as they were kind of trying to force themselves into the room with a tray with nothing on. That was pretty freaky as they had properly thought about it.
‘I’m a big JamesBond fan – that would be the ultimate role’
What’s your biggest pinchme moment?
Performing with Elton John in Madison Square Garden was pretty amazing. I did two nights with him and it’s a bit of a blur, really. I wish I remembered it clearer. He’s the best of the best and still going strong.
You’ve done some acting. Bond’s up for grabs soon. Fancy it? I’m a big, big James Bond fan. Every boy wants to be Bond. He’s just the coolest – especially the Daniel Craig James Bond. I’m never going to be James Bond but in my dreams that would be the ultimate role.
What’s left on your bucket list?
I’d love to climb Mount Everest. I’ve had a few challenges in the past – I’ve walked Ireland twice, top to bottom, swum across the Irish Sea and I climbed Kilimanjaro. Everest is a whole other level, but with the right training and team I think it would be an amazing experience.