Daniel fights back tears as he describes his wife Majella’s battle with cancer.
Daniel O’Donnell broke down in tears on the Late Late Show as he spoke about his wife Majella’s battle with cancer.
The normally ice-cool singer was overcome with emotion as he recounted the moment he realised his wife’s cancer was for real.
Daniel, 51, said he was watching Majella having her hair shaved on the Late Late Show when the enormity of what she was doing struck him.
The Donegal star choked back tears to host Ryan Tubridy as he revealed “For some reason she was driven to do it and she didn’t know that the cancer society had that shortfall in funds. Everything happens for a reason.
“For the first time I felt I knew she was sick. But I suppose we realised that some people are not as lucky as we are and there are so many people that don’t get the good result.
“When I saw her sitting there and I saw her speaking I was amazed at her composure and her ability to keep going and to explain everything.
“She had researched so much and then to see her and the hair being shaved off and that was the time I realised that this really is it.”
He revealed that he and his wife have received huge support since going public on Majella’s battle with the disease.
He also revealed how the couple had discussed cancelling his tour of America but Majella said that would be letting the cancer win.
“The feeling we had by continuing on the tour was that we were in control of the cancer and the cancer was not in control of us.”
He said that although it was hard to be away, he felt like he couldn’t do much for his wife by being by her side.
“She will say that she couldn’t explain the feeling the treatment gave her. Every one of them was different. She reacted differently to all of them.
“She said that even if I was there all the time I would have been no help to her. Irrespective of what family support, of what medcial support, I think the act of treatment of cancer is a solitary journey.
“Of course we can support them but we cannot at any time take away whatever sickness, whatever feeling. It’s not even a feeling she can still describe other than she says it just messes with her head,” he said.
He said he called her after the show and told her how fantastic she looked without the hair.
The chart-topper also said that he was delighted that Majella has come out of his shadow and that some people now know him as Majella O’Donnell’s husband.
“Before I went to Branson I wrote her a wee note. I have known her since 1999 and I told her I was so pleased she had come out from behind my shadow for everyone to know the person I know,” he added.
And with the prognosis very bright for Majella’s condition Daniel said he knows that they are among the lucky ones.