Country star shares ‘sadness’ but says club is obsolete in ‘world of technology’
Daniel O’Donnell will perform in Kincasslagh before his break. Photo: Marc O’Sullivan
Daniel O’Donnell thanked his fans. Photo: Steve Humphreys
Daniel O’Donnell has decided to close down his long-running fan club, saying it had become outdated in today’s social media-driven world.
The singer has just released the last-ever issue of his self-titled magazine — marking the end of his official fan club after 40 years. He spoke of his personal “sadness” over the move, insisting the decision to wind it down had not been taken lightly.
However, the 63-year-old — who is about to take an extended break from touring — admitted the fan club, which was founded in 1985, had started to become obsolete in a “world of technology”.
In a heartfelt letter to his fans, he said: “There’s a sadness as I finish off writing this letter, as it is the last letter I will write for the fan club bulletin. The fan club would be nothing if it wasn’t for you, ‘the fans’. I will be forever grateful for the wonderful support you have given my career.
Daniel O’Donnell thanked his fans. Photo: Steve Humphreys
“I suppose it’s a sad realisation of how things have progressed in this world of technology that has brought us to the point of deciding to end the fan club. Everything is so instantaneously available now on social media, and it reaches people so rapidly that you all have the news before the fan club is able to share it with you.”
The Donegal singer also used his final bulletin to again warn his army of fans to be on their guard for online fraudsters. He has been targeted relentlessly over the years by hoaxers looking to cash in on his fame by making bogus requests for money in his name on popular messaging sites.
In his bulletin, he urged his followers to be extra vigilant, adding: “Watch out on Facebook for any updates (the official page, of course) and I want to reiterate to everyone that I will not contact anyone EVER on social media, so please do not engage with anyone pretending to be me.”
He previously said the decision to take a lengthy break from touring was triggered by health concerns and confirmed his two-year “sabbatical” will begin later this month after he performs a charity concert in his local church in Kincasslagh on December 21.
“Apart from singing in my local church before Christmas, I’m now officially on a break for most of the next two years.”