Johnny McDaid honoured with civic reception in his hometown
Entertainment

Johnny McDaid honoured with civic reception in his hometown

SNOW PATROL guitarist Johnny McDaid has been honoured with a civic reception in his hometown of Derry.

The event was held to mark the musician's success with Snow Patrol and in his own right as a songwriter and producer.

McDaid has written songs for some of the world's best-selling artists including Pink, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran.

He co-wrote the biggest selling single of 2017, Ed Sheeran's Shape of You.

Maolíosa McHugh, the Mayor of Derry, hosted the private reception at Londonderry's Guildhall yesterday.

Derry's mayor said the musician is "a great example to our young people of what can be achieved through hard work and dedication to your craft."

"The city and district has a long tradition of musicians going on to record and perform on the world stage and even by our own highs standards, Johnny's music career has been nothing short of prolific," he added.

The award received by the Snow Patrol star references the Irish Post Award he received last November for Outstanding Contribution to the Music Industry.

McDaid said he was delighted to be honoured in his hometown in the presence of family and friends, including his fiancée, actress Courtney Cox.

"It's everything to be able to come home and it's lovely for me to get the chance to recognise what Derry means to me," he said.

"I'm delighted to get the opportunity to come to the place where I grew up and the streets that I busked in."