Storm Keating
Fashion designer Storm Keating opens up about her recovery from emergency spinal surgery, motherhood and what it’s like being married to Ronan
Being married to Boyzone’s Ronan Keating hasn’t always been a breeze for Storm. Speaking to the 39-year-old over the phone, she reveals how critical people were when they first fell for each other in 2012, five months after Ronan’s split from his first wife, Yvonne. The pair then got hitched in 2015.
“Back in the earlier days when I first started dating Ro, people were a lot more judgemental,” she admits.
“But I think over time they’ve got to know me a bit more.”
And that definitely does seem to be the case, with the couple now happily settled with their two children, Cooper, four, and Coco, 14 months. Ronan is also dad to Jack, 22, Missy, 20, and Ali, 15, who he shares with Yvonne.
During our catch-up, Storm admits that she wouldn’t have got through the trauma of an emergency operation on her back without her The One Show presenter husband and his older children.
She was diagnosed with cauda equina syndrome, a rare type of spinal stenosis that leaves the nerves in the lower back severely compressed and could have led to paralysis without treatment. Thankfully, the operation to cure it appears to have been a success.
“I don’t know how we would have got through this speed bump if it wasn’t for having the support of Ronan, Jack and Missy,” she tells us. “My view on life has definitely changed a lot since I had that scare.”
Here, the Australian star discusses the terrifying condition, motherhood and what Ronan is like as a dad…
Hi Storm! Tell us what you love most about being a mum…
Everything. I had no idea that your heart could burst in the way that it does when you have a child in your life. I’m so completely and utterly in love with my husband and I thought that was the greatest thing to ever come into my life. But then you have children and it’s the same sort of thing but in a very different way. Every single day you look at them and they fill you up with so much joy. It doesn’t matter what kind of day you’ve had, they are just everything. They make you want to burst on the inside. I can’t even imagine not being a mummy. I feel so blessed and fortunate!
Do Cooper and Coco get on well together?
Oh yeah! Cooper is besotted by his little sister. The three big kids – Jack, Missy and
Ali – are completely besotted by the two little ones. It’s heartwarming. All five of them are really close.
Would you mind either of them being in the limelight as they grow up?
No. I just want them to be happy. If something in the limelight is something they are passionate about then we will support that. I think with Cooper it might be something to do with his heart because he’s just this really kind, calm and very smart human being. Even at this age, we say he’s going to be a scientist or save the world. He’s got this presence about him.
How do you and Ronan work together as parents?
Ro and I work so well together as a team. We have very similar views on parenting. We come from very humble beginnings. We’ve had to work hard and graft. We’re very passionate about making a wholesome family environment.
We’re big on morals and manners. Also working hard and being gracious. He’s a wonderful dad, I couldn’t be prouder. I think the kids are so lucky to have him in their life.
Has he been a big support after your spinal operation?
Yeah, he’s been a huge support! So have our big kids as well. Jack and Missy have been incredible. Without having a strong household, it wouldn’t have been possible.
How did you feel when you woke up from the operation?
It wasn’t until the surgeon said it was a success that I broke down. Then I had a couple of weeks with waves of emotions. You start to panic. You realise what your life would’ve looked like and that I wouldn’t have been able to drive to school, or gone on holidays. All these thoughts go through your head.
Has it made you have a different outlook on life?
100%. My view definitely changed a lot since I had that scare. I’m still going through rehabilitation at the minute. I’m not 100% perfect, but I’m very guilty of never making time for myself. I don’t have a good balance. But now I believe you can’t ignore your body. You’ve got to make time and look after yourself.
Will you be in rehabilitation for much longer?
You’ve got to give the nerves 12 months post-surgery. It’s a long time to wait but between now and then I’m on a rigorous
programme that will ease up as I get stronger.
Are you proud of Ronan joining The One Show?
Yeah, I’m so proud of him. It’s such a brilliant programme.
How do you juggle quality time together now?
That is probably the hardest part – juggling everything. It’s hard enough for a career couple to do it, then throwing five children into the mix. Some nights we tell Jack and Missy we’re going to watch TV in bed and it’s as simple as that.
You’ve teamed up with Sky Q on its new campaign…
It’s to launch the Kids Quotes service. It’s been created to allow kids and families get to the content they love easily by using the Sky Q voice remote to search for TV shows using catchphrases or character names.
That sounds amazing…
We’re huge fans in this household. This particular campaign resonated with me because we have small children. One of Cooper’s favourite TV shows is Bob The Builder. So, “can you fix it?” is a popular phrase in this house and saying that with the voice search takes us straight to the show! Coco has just started watching Peppa Pig. She’s completely and utterly obsessed with it. She tends to do a little oink at the telly. It’s so cute!