DANIEL O’Donnell is to take a year off from music to spend more time with his wife who is undergoing cancer treatment.
The Donegal singer said in a statement on his website that once he finishes performing the dates scheduled until next February, he would take a “sabbatical” until “at least the middle of 2016.”
He added that whilst it was a “big decision” there were other things he and his wife, Majella, wanted to do.
“We thank God that her [Majella] treatment and surgery has been successful. Through all of this we have a lot of time to reflect and take stock of things and it makes us realise that life is short.
“I want to let you know at this point that I have decided to take an extended break from touring after the Gertrude Byrne Caribbean cruise finishes next February 2015.”
The singer, who is currently touring New Zealand and Australia, will arrive in the UK in April for an 11 date tour, in what will be his last UK tour until he returns from his extended break.
On his website, O’Donnell was keen to reinforce that “this is not retirement, it’s just a sabbatical.”
