‘Wild’ Majella O’Donnell Opens Up on Marriage, Cannabis, and Her Rebellious Streak on Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything
DUBLIN — Majella O’Donnell, the wife of Irish country music legend Daniel O’Donnell, gave viewers more than a few surprises during her appearance on the season premiere of Angela Scanlon’s Ask Me Anything. Known for her warmth and candid honesty, the 63-year-old star was quizzed on everything from her marriage to her youthful adventures — and she did not shy away.
Appearing alongside singer Keith Duffy and comedian Jarlath Regan, Majella was in good form as Scanlon launched the show’s signature icebreaker: a choice between answering questions on “sex, drugs, or rock ’n’ roll.” The audience erupted when Majella chose “sex” — and she delivered with a mixture of humor and straight-talk.
When asked by Scanlon how the romance with Daniel was after more than two decades of marriage, Majella quipped: “Jesus, what is she like? It’s grand,” drawing laughter from the studio. She added playfully, “What do you want to know, darling?” The exchange highlighted the easy charm and openness that has made Majella a popular television presence in her own right, particularly through Daniel and Majella’s B&B Road Trip.
But the conversation soon turned to her past, with Majella revealing that she was something of a free spirit as a young woman. Raised in Thurles under the watchful eye of a strict father, she said she found her independence when she moved to London at 18. “I was a free spirit but had a very strict father so I could do nothing,” she recalled. “But once I left school, I was an adult and could do anything. It’s like when you’re 17, you’re a child, you can’t go to the disco and be home at 12am, but when you’re 18 you’ve left school, you fend for yourself — off you go.”
In a moment that surprised both the host and the audience, Majella also admitted to dabbling with cannabis in her youth. Referring to it with a laugh as “wacky tobaccy,” she said she had tried it and believed strongly in legalisation. “I think we all had a go at the old wacky tobaccy. You’re really getting an exclusive here tonight,” she said. “I’m definitely one for legalising it. It’s great for making you zen. It makes the music sound better.”
Scanlon responded with amusement: “You were a little bit wild, no? I was surprised to read that Majella loved a bit of the wacky tobaccy. Your words, not mine!” The light-hearted back-and-forth gave the episode some of its most talked-about moments, underscoring Majella’s reputation for speaking frankly and without airs.
Despite the cheeky headlines her remarks are likely to generate, Majella’s candor also resonated with viewers who admire her honesty about life’s challenges. Over the years, she has been open about her struggles with depression and her 2013 battle with breast cancer, which she faced publicly when she shaved her head for charity on The Late Late Show. Her willingness to discuss difficult topics has made her a relatable figure far beyond her husband’s fan base.
On Ask Me Anything, however, the emphasis was on humor, nostalgia, and personality. Majella’s reflections on growing up, finding independence, and keeping romance alive with Daniel struck a balance between light-hearted anecdotes and genuine insight into a life lived in the public eye.
As the evening wrapped, Scanlon praised her guest’s openness, noting that audiences respond to people who are unafraid to share both their triumphs and their flaws. For Majella, it was another reminder of why she has become a much-loved personality in Irish entertainment — warm, self-aware, and always just a little bit “wild.”