DANIEL O’DONNELL CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF MUSIC WITH KEN BRUCE ON GREATEST HITS RADIO
London, UK — Beloved Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell joined Ken Bruce on Greatest Hits Radio for a warm and reflective conversation celebrating his new compilation album, Through The Years: The Definitive Greatest Hits, marking an extraordinary 40 years in music.
The Donegal-born crooner, whose career has spanned generations, spoke candidly about his journey from small-town beginnings to international success — and even addressed the long-running rumor about his “almost career” in banking.
💬 “I was never really cut out for a bank job,” Daniel laughed. “I think I’d have been too busy talking to the customers to get any work done!”
The conversation took listeners on a nostalgic trip through the decades as Daniel looked back on the early days of his career and the pivotal role of Ritz Records, the label that first helped launch him to fame in the 1980s. He credited the team at Ritz for believing in his vision when others didn’t.
💬 “Ritz gave me that chance,” he said. “They understood what I wanted to do — to bring Irish country music to people’s hearts — and they stood by me.”
Ken Bruce and Daniel shared plenty of laughs as they discussed his famously loyal fanbase — affectionately known as “Daniel’s Angels” — and the tradition of the singer hosting afternoon teas with fans after shows. Daniel admitted that, although he loved those moments of connection, the sheer demand eventually became too much.
💬 “It just got to a point where I couldn’t meet everyone anymore,” he explained. “But I still treasure those memories. The fans have been incredible to me — they’ve been there through every song, every step.”
The interview also featured a musical time capsule segment, taking Daniel — and listeners — back to his Golden Year: 1975, when the airwaves were filled with timeless hits from Cliff Richard, ABBA, Janis Ian, Mud, and Tammy Wynette. Daniel reminisced about how those artists shaped his love for melody and storytelling.
💬 “Music in the ’70s was so rich,” he reflected. “I remember listening to Cliff Richard’s songs and thinking, ‘If I could bring even half that joy to people someday, I’d be happy.’”
As Through The Years climbs the charts, Daniel remains as humble and grounded as ever, expressing gratitude to the fans who’ve made his remarkable career possible.
💬 “When I started out singing in small halls across Donegal, I never dreamed I’d still be doing this forty years later,” he told Bruce. “It’s been a blessing, and I thank God for it every day.”
With his trademark warmth, humor, and sincerity, Daniel O’Donnell reminded listeners why he remains one of the most enduring and beloved figures in Irish music.
Daniel O’Donnell – Through The Years: The Definitive Greatest Hits is out now.
A celebration of faith, family, and forty unforgettable years of song.