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Daniel O'Donnell taking 'extended' break due to health issues

Getty Images Daniel O'Donnell is wearing a grey suit jacket, a white shirt and a black tie as he sings into a microphone. He is performing on stage, with a green light just behind him reflecting off his brown, short hair.Getty Images
Daniel O'Donnell says he is pausing his shows, with only a few scheduled for 2026

Daniel O'Donnell has announced he is taking "an extended break from touring" due to health issues.

The 63-year-old singer from County Donegal cited allergies and recurrent chest infections.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Thursday, a spokesperson for O'Donnell said the decision to take a break was not "made lightly".

But it is "not a retirement but rather a temporary break" to recharge and recover after years on the road.

"This decision was not made lightly, but it is driven by the health challenges he has faced over the past few years, particularly with allergies and recurrent chest infections while touring extensively," the statement said.

"Daniel will continue his touring commitments until December 2025, but he has realised that he needs to step back and focus on his health and well-being."

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It is not known when the country/folk singer will return to touring, O'Donnell will host his annual Opry le Daniel shows on Irish language channel TG4 early next year.

He will also perform on Gertrude Byrne's Medditerranean Cruise in September 2026, but these are the only two confirmed performances he will undertake.

Who is Daniel O'Donnell?

Hailing from Kincasslagh, The Boy from Donegal has been a key figure in the Irish music industry for over 40 years.

In that time, he has released over 45 studio and live albums, cementing his status as a household name across the UK and Ireland.

He married his wife, Majella, in 2002 who he met on holiday while in Tenerife three years earlier.

Getty Images Daniel O'Donnell, with light brown and grey hair smiles at the camera while standing outside a black iron fence in Dublin. He is wearing a grey suit jacket, a white collared shirt and a grey and white polka dot tie. He is standing on the left hand side of his wife Majella, who has short brown hair, and is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a black suit jacket, and a pair of rectangle metal earrings.Getty Images
O'Donnell and his wife Majella, pictured in 2015, hosted their own show on UTV and RTÉ

The singer, also known as "Wee Daniel", has inspired a Daniel O'Donnell visitor centre in Dungloe, with his gold discs, awards and wedding suit on display for fans.

In 1994, O'Donnell cancelled a series of sold-out shows in Newcastle, County Down after receiving a paramilitary threat that he would be killed if he performed.

He has also been the subject of a number of online cons targeting fans.

Last month, he urged them not to fall for social media "scammers" after fake images of him in hospital were posted online.