Beloved country star Daniel O’Donnell has announced that he will be stepping back from touring at the end of 2025 to “recharge his batteries” following ongoing chest issues that have been worsened by a demanding performance schedule.
The 63-year-old singer, known for his tireless touring and close connection with fans across the globe, made the announcement last week, emphasizing that the decision was about self-care, not retirement.
“I’ve been fine doing recent shows and I intend to complete all the concerts booked until the end of this year,” Daniel shared. “I’m looking forward to every one of them — but I just felt I needed to take a break and recharge my batteries.”
Daniel explained that his decision comes after years of coping with recurring chest issues. While the condition doesn’t significantly affect his daily life, it becomes more challenging under the physical demands of live singing.
“Loads of people have what I have and it doesn’t bother them one bit,” he told The Sunday World. “I function perfectly well otherwise. But because I’m singing, it’s more difficult with those problems.”
While the announcement may have stirred concern among fans, Daniel reassured everyone that this isn’t about illness, nor is it a signal that he’s stepping away for good.
“I haven’t made this decision because of ill-health or anything serious. It’s just that the continuous touring is no longer suiting me the way it used to. I need to take time and figure out what works best.”
Daniel emphasized that his upcoming concerts in Ireland, the UK, and the U.S. throughout 2025 will go ahead as planned. He announced his break early to give fans a chance to see him live before the pause.
And while he’s stepping off the stage for a while, retirement is not on the table.
“I’ll figure out what works best for me in the future. But I’m certainly not retiring.”
With decades of music behind him, Daniel’s voice continues to bring comfort, joy, and connection to audiences around the world. As he looks toward this next chapter, fans will no doubt offer him the same love and support he’s always given them.
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