On the same day that global pop sensation Taylor Swift unveiled her highly anticipated twelfth album, *The Life of a Showgirl*, Irish music legend Daniel O’Donnell quietly released his latest collection of songs, *Now And Then*. The album, a blend of country tunes and cover tracks, marked another milestone in O’Donnell’s illustrious career. Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster’s *Evening Extra* programme, the County Donegal native humorously questioned whether he was competing with Swift for chart dominance, quipping, ‘Am I out with Taylor? Oh my God. Now, I wonder if she’s afraid of me?’
O’Donnell, who boasts 12 gold-selling albums and over 10 million records sold, expressed his gratitude for his enduring career. ‘It’s always great. Even though it’s album 40-something, it’s always exciting to put out new music,’ he shared. Reflecting on his debut in 1984, he added, ‘I never thought 40 years later I’d still be releasing albums. So it’s great, and I’m grateful to the people who’ve followed me all down the years.’
Looking ahead, O’Donnell announced plans to take a step back from the music industry in 2026 to focus on his health, particularly after struggling with allergies. Despite this, he remains optimistic, stating, ‘I’m feeling great, thank God.’ His hiatus will include treatments, holidays, and quality time with his grandchildren. Beyond music, O’Donnell revealed a quirky ambition: a walk-on cameo in the long-running ITV soap *Coronation Street*. ‘I might be running out of time though,’ he joked. ‘Sure they can’t have everybody on that wants to come on. But I would sweep, wash dishes, doesn’t matter, I don’t even need to talk. I might be able to have an affair with Mary, you never know.’