Shayne Ward plays the Ambassador, Dublin on 10 and 11 October. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
Shayne rose to fame as winner of the second series of the UK talent show The X Factor. His debut single That's My Goal was the 2005 Christmas No. 1, spending four weeks at the top of the chart and selling two million copies.
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It was followed by two more hit singles, No Promises and Stand By Me, which featured on his self-titled debut album, which entered the chart at No. 1 in April with first week sales 200,000 copies. Shayne has since had three further Top 40 hits and three more hit albums.
He had also had a career across television, film, and theatre, with a role in Coronation Street from 2015 to 2018. On stage, he played Stacee Jaxx in the West End production of Rock of Ages and went on to appear in UK tours of The War of the Worlds and Band of Gold.
His film work includes a lead role in the 2020 feature Black Ops, directed by Tom Paton, and he will next be seen in the 2024 comedy-thriller Young Gun alongside Alexis Rodney.
Shayne currently stars in the Paramount/Channel 5 drama The Good Ship Murder, where he also wrote and performs the theme song.
In 2024, he was a contestant on the hit BBC series Strictly Come Dancing.
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I am a father to two beautiful children - willow May and Reign Ward..
I’m an actor and singer.
My favourite season is autumn and I love Halloween.
I guess that’s more than asked for lol.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music, especially my new material, as trusting my gut! Whatever I feel in my heart. I can’t wait to share everything I’ve been working on for the past few years. Different styles and genres.
Who are your musical inspirations?
I have many musical inspirations. I grew up in an Irish household so I listened to a lot of The Dubliners, The Furies, Foster & Allen, The Wolfe Tones, Susan McCann and more. Country music, like Patsy Cline, Kenny Rogers, Glen Campbell Conway Twitty. And, of course, the king himself - Elvis Presley. There are far too many to mention and the list can go on and on - Tom Jones, The Bee Gees, The Stylistics, The Everly Brothers, Marvin Gaye, and Elton John.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
Westlife at the Manchester Evening news Arena many, many years ago. I remember when Shane Filan's name got mentioned on the microphone, I thought to myself imagine what it would be like to have the crowd react to my name. I never dreamed in a million years it would happen.
What was the first record you ever bought?
First single I bought on cassette was Show Me The Meaning Of Being Lonely by The Backstreet Boys. I also bought, in Blackpool, a greatest hits on cassette of Susan McCann, for my mum.
What’s your favourite song right now?
One of my favourite songs at the minute has to be I Just Don’t Know You Yet by Absolutely, who is the sister of Raye.
Favourite lyric of all time?
One of my all-time favourite lyrics have to be from Mike and the Mechanics song The Living Years: "I think I caught his spirit, Later that same year, I’m sure I heard his echo. In my baby’s new born tears, I just wish I could have told him, In the living years". It’s just powerful.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
This is very difficult but I’d have to say Sacrifice by Elton John.
Where can people find your music/more information?
All my music is on all social platforms, Spotify, iTunes and more. Always look for @shaynetward.
Alan Corr
