‘We were an unlikely pairing but we got on famously’ – Daniel O’Donnell on the late Sinead O’Connor

Joining Kielty was a host of guests including British actor Ricky Tomlinson, Liz Bonnin and Georgie Crawford, with a musical performance from O’Donnell.

After 40 years in the music business and 48 albums, O’Donnell is releasing his new album, How Lucky I Must Be, this week.

The Donegal native recalled working with O’Connor in a 2001 celebrity special of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, hosted by Gay Byrne on RTÉ. O’Connor and O’Donnell were teamed up to answer questions on the show.

O’Donnell told Kielty that they got on “famously” doing the show.

“I didn’t know her well, I can’t claim to have known her well, but that night we had a lovely, lovely night,” he said.

“We were an unlikely pairing, but we got on famously and we had fun doing the show.

“After we were in one of the big rooms, sort of a reception, and my memory is dancing with her and calling myself and Brian Kennedy out on the floor.

“She was a terrific artist, but we found out, unfortunately I suppose, a lot of people knew that, but, we found out, the world found out, the goodness of Sinead O’ Connor, the good things she did for everyday people.

“She was a person of the people, especially in Bray and your own people are the ones that know you the best.

“They praised her higher than the heavens.

“It’s a great loss certainly for people in Ireland and in the music business, but it is a huge loss for her family. You can’t fill that space that is left in a family and it is they who are mourning,” said O’Donnell.

Sinead O’Connor died at the age of 56. She was found unresponsive at her home in south-east London and pronounced dead at the scene, sparking an outpouring of grief following the death of iconic Irish singer.