Daniel O'Donnell celebrated his 60th birthday in style on Friday's Late Late Show as family and friends joined him for music and memories.
"I'm glad that I'm 60," said the birthday boy. "I don't really think about age at all."
Describing himself as "always grateful for every year", he paid tribute to his late father, who died at the age of 49.
The singer's grandchildren were his very special guests on the night. Wife Majella was watching from home after the recent passing of a close friend.
Among those sending birthday messages into the show were Cliff Richard, Nathan Carter, Garth Brooks, Loretta Lynn and Philomena Begley.
"I'm so happy that I can be called a friend of yours," said Richard.
Carter and the audience at his show in Derry sang Happy Birthday.
"I hope that you are entering the best decade of your life," said Brooks.
In the Late Late studio, O'Donnell's sister Margo recounted how her little brother chose to walk away from his plans to be a teacher to pursue a career in music, joining her band.
"I saw a secret talent in Daniel very early after he joined my band," she said.
"I may have laid part of the foundation, but he built on it."
Shona McGarty, who plays Whitney in EastEnders, revealed she is a "massive fan of Daniel" having grown up listening to his music.
The friendship none of us were expecting 😂Shona McGarty @ShonaBM (aka Whitney from EastEnders) is here to celebrate her pal Daniel's birthday 🥳#LateLate pic.twitter.com/FmUF5VGJOf
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) December 10, 2021
She was finally introduced to the Donegal man by their mutual friend, EastEnders co-star Brian Conley, who plays Rocky on the soap. McGarty later joined O'Donnell at a show in Croydon, South London to sing Crazy.
Other guests on Friday night included Packie Bonner, Paddy Cole, Jimmy Buckley, Susan McCann, Marc Roberts, Louise Morrissey, Claudia Buckley, Cliona Hagan and David James.
The celebrations ended with a performance of White Christmas as O'Donnell was joined by his fellow singers.
