SAD LOSS
Watch as The Voice’s Danny O’Donoghue pays emotional tribute to late The Script star bandmate live on TV
Danny spent his days 'drinking and smoking' following his friend's passing
THE VOICE star Danny O’Donoghue has paid an emotional tribute to his late bandmate Mark Sheehan live on TV.
The Irish singer, 43, appeared on BBC Breakfast on Tuesday as he discussed The Script's latest studio album, Satellites, released last month.
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The conversation then turned to the devastating loss of his best mate and the band's guitarist Mark in 2023, aged 46.
Danny emotionally said: "Last year was devastating, we lost my best friend and guitarist in the band, Mark, it took us a little while to come out from underneath that."
The For The First Time hitmaker admitted he spent his days "drinking and smoking" following his friend's passing.
"I went down a bit of a hole last year, drinking and trying to get over the grief of your best mate," he continued.
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"I gave up drink, alcohol, cigarettes, caffeine. I'm not fun anymore but I'm healthy! Coming into this year as completely sober."
Danny explained that grief can hit everyone differently but said the new album served as a therapeutic process.
"You never really get rid of grief, it's always there, you just learn to grow around it," he said.
He added: "It's in real time, some days are better than others and I guess I'll come on maybe a show like this and I'll see pictures.
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"Get shown them all the time, it's both heartbreaking but also a great testament.
"People remember him in such a way and he touched so many people's lives around the world. It's beautiful."
'I went off the rails when Mark died. Drinking, smoking, I had a writers block,' says The Script's Danny O'Donoghue on bandmate's death
The star said it was heartbreaking that Mark was not here to witness their new album, but said that it was dedicated to him.
Mark was co-founder of The Script back in 2001 but worked in music for years before with pal Danny, with the pair being best mates since the age of 12.
Danny, who has been booze, caffeine and tobacco-free since the end of December, opened up for the first time in May.
He was frank as he admitted to host Lorraine Kelly, 64: "Around Christmas-time, I went after the rails after Mark passed away.
"Like everybody does. Drinking, smoking, everything.
"I went on a mental block - I had a writers' block for a long time last year."
He then told how he came up with a particularly lyric about "a shooting star across the sky" which became the catalyst for the band's new material.
He added: "It was the first time I felt able to articulate what I thought about the situation and the floodgates really opened then, as far as being creative."
Danny then told how The Script would be touring their new material both on-stage supporting US popstar Pink and on their on shows.
SAD STATEMENT
The Dublin-based group released a sad statement after Mark's unexpected death.
It read: "Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness.
"The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time."
GREAT MATES
Danny and Mark were best friends since the age of 12 and originally part of boy band Mytown.
This group formed back in 1996.
The BFFs then recruited drummer Glen Power to complete what would be The Script line-up.
Mark spent most of his time in the US with his wife Reena.
He was happily married to the Texas native and the pair shared three kids before his tragic passing.
Back in 2022, Danny told how Mark had taken a break from touring the year before, to spend more time with his family.
Hall Of Fame singer Danny said: "It's his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband.
"He's been the engine of The Script for such a long time, [I told him] that 'if you want to take a bit of time out for your family you are more than welcome to, and I insist on you going and doing it'.
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"He took a little bit of time off. You get refreshed, then you come back with a new zest for life.
"And I believe it was the best thing that could have happened for all of us."
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