How Storm used her charms to get Ronan
Lover’s gift helped bring pair together, says singer
RONAN Keating admits he was literally charmed when he met his girlfriend Storm Uechtritz.
The star of the London theatre production of the hit musical Once has revealed that Storm bought a pair of puzzle charms for each of them after they first met. He has one and she holds the other to complete a metaphorical romantic jigsaw.
Pictured backstage in an interview with the Daily Mail’s Weekend magazine this week, Ronan says he takes off the charm only when he is on stage.
It’s one of a collection that he possesses. ‘My girlfriend Storm, who I met when I was a judge on The X Factor Australia and she was a producer, bought two puzzle charms when we first got together, one for her, one for me; the idea is that we each complete the jigsaw for one another.
‘My sister Linda then gave me this small medal which had been blessed by Pope John Paul, and Storm gave me the star for good luck. I also have an S for her name and she has an R for mine. I wear this all the time except onstage.’
Since meeting Storm, Ronan admits he has developed a sweet tooth and he showed off a cookie jar that she had given him for his stash of goodies. ‘She’s a chocoholic and I seem to have developed rather a sweet tooth as well since I met her. She comes to see the show all the time and makes sure this jar is stocked with all sorts of chocolate: my favourites are Double Deckers but I also like Cadbury’s Marvellous Creations. I’ll dip in during the interval when I’m tired and need a sugar rush to get me through the second half.’
Explaining his other dressing room kit, he explained his lead role in Once is very demanding on his voice, especially in cold weather, and as a result he keeps a stock of natural remedies.
‘I use Lucas’ Papaw ointment to stop my lips cracking and I make a fresh ginger and manuka honey hot drink every morning which contains a natural antibiotic and helps warm your vocal chords.
‘Storm bought me an upmarket flask as an opening night gift and I use it every day. I drink half before I go on and the other half in the interval, and I haven’t missed a performance yet.’
Ronan’s West End success has meant that his hectic schedule has prevented him coming home. But he has a wall full of photographs of family and friends, and reveals that his favourite picture is one of Storm with his children.
‘My three children – Jack is 15, Missy’s 14 and Ali’s nine – often come to London and they’ve seen the performances several times. But they’re all at school back in Dublin so it’s nice to have photos of them to keep me going until they next come over.’