Daniel O’Donnell Hopes for Duet with Robbie Williams as He Reflects on Friendship with Sir Cliff Richard
DONEGAL — Daniel O’Donnell, Ireland’s beloved country crooner, has revealed he would love to collaborate with British pop superstar Robbie Williams — and has also spoken warmly about his enduring friendship with Sir Cliff Richard.
O’Donnell, who has sold more than 15 million albums across a career spanning four decades, has never shied away from duet opportunities. In recent years, he has shared stages and recordings with a wide range of artists, and now says he is open to something even more surprising. “I’d be delighted to do something with Robbie Williams,” O’Donnell said in a recent interview. “He’s such a performer, full of energy and charisma. I think it would be great fun — though I don’t know if he’d be interested in doing something with me!”
The idea of pairing the gentle-voiced Donegal balladeer with the former Take That star might seem unlikely, but O’Donnell says he has always embraced opportunities that put music and connection first. “I’ve duetted with lots of younger singers, and I’m always open to new ideas,” he said. “For me, it’s about bringing people together through music.”
One of O’Donnell’s most enduring friendships in the music world has been with Sir Cliff Richard. The two performers, though from different backgrounds and eras, share a mutual admiration. “Cliff has been a wonderful friend over the years,” O’Donnell explained. “He’s always been very kind to me, very supportive. I grew up listening to him, and to now be able to call him a friend is something very special.”
Their friendship has occasionally drawn media attention, particularly when O’Donnell has been asked to comment on Richard’s longevity in the industry and his ability to reinvent himself. “Cliff is amazing,” Daniel said. “He just keeps going, and he does it with such style and grace. There’s no one else quite like him. If I can still be performing like that in my later years, I’ll be very happy.”
The Donegal singer continues to enjoy a close connection with his fans, maintaining a schedule of tours and performances even as he reflects on what the future might hold. In 2022, he became the first artist to secure a Top 40 album in the U.K. every year for 35 years — a record-breaking achievement that highlights his enduring popularity.
Away from the stage, O’Donnell treasures his personal life with wife Majella, with whom he recently celebrated more than 20 years of marriage. The couple, who famously appeared together in the reality series Daniel and Majella’s B&B Road Trip, have spoken openly about supporting one another through challenges, including Majella’s successful battle with breast cancer and her candid reflections on mental health.
Faith also remains central to Daniel’s outlook. He has often said that prayer and belief sustain him during difficult times, while his teetotal lifestyle has kept him grounded in an industry often marked by excess. “I never felt I was missing anything by not drinking,” he once explained. “I could be myself with or without it.”
As he looks ahead, Daniel insists he has no intention of retirement. “I don’t think I’ll always tour,” he admitted, “but I hope I’ll always sing.” Whether or not a collaboration with Robbie Williams materializes, his openness to fresh possibilities and gratitude for lifelong friendships show why O’Donnell remains one of Ireland’s most cherished performers.
For his fans, the thought of seeing Daniel O’Donnell sharing a stage with one of Britain’s most flamboyant entertainers may be surprising — but for the singer himself, it is simply another chance to do what he has always done best: bring joy through music, and celebrate the bonds that songs can create.