A Cambuslang singer was plucked from a hotel bar to open for Take That, just half an hour before the performance, after Olly Murs was forced to cancel.
Daniel Rooney was performing at the Radisson RED, opposite the Hydro, when presenter Ross King heard him. King was enjoying drinks at the hotel before the show at the Hydro when he learned that flights in London had been cancelled and Olly Murs could no longer open the show on Friday evening, May 3.
King texted his good friend Gary Barlow, the lead singer of Take That, to check if everything was okay. Barlow jokingly asked if King knew a singer who could perform at short notice.
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Despite the joke, King told Barlow about Rooney, who was playing in the hotel bar at that moment.
When asked if he wanted to open for Take That, the singer jumped at the chance and took to the stage to a welcome cheer from the home crowd, reports the Daily Record.
Graham Chalmers, the manager of Radisson RED, was a bit shocked at Rooney’s sudden departure but was thrilled that the local singer was getting his big break.
He said: “Danny plays regularly for us working with grassroots artists is huge for us and he is someone we thought really has something.
“It’s important to us to showcase Scotland’s talent in fact we are opening a new live music venue with that ethos at the heart of it, the Rotunda and Roundhouse across from the hotel.
“So, It was a strange moment when I looked over and saw Danny put his coat on and lift his guitar I asked him what was going on but when he told me, how could you stand in the way of that sort of opportunity?.
“We’re really pleased for him and thanks to Ross for coming in again and of course for spotting the kind of talent we have at Radisson RED! “.
Attendees at the show were also blown away by the performance, effusively highlighting Danny’s prowess on social media. One attendee exclaimed: “Huge congrats to Daniel Rooney of Cambuslang. Filling in on 30mins notice for Olly Murs who was stuck in London. What a fab into to the big stage.”
Another chimed in with praise, stating emphatically how he “smashed it” and they “Loved his performance”.
Enthusiastic Glasgow Take That superfan Claire Thomas, 46, from Muirhead, echoed these sentiments, providing her endorsement: “Daniel was great, I preferred him to Olly – I hope he makes it big.”
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Unfortunately, Olly Murs found himself grounded in London due to a flight cancellation, making him unavailable for his Hydro gig.
A note posted on social media read: “We are sorry to advise, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control, Olly Murs cannot perform tonight (Friday) in Glasgow. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience.”
Olly Murs has apologised to his fans for missing a performance with Take That in Glasgow, after being stuck at London Heathrow due to multiple delays and a cabin crew incident which led to the cancellation of his British Airways flight. He expressed his frustration on social media: “So sorry to everyone at the @takethat show tonight in Glasgow, unfortunately I won’t be there, I have been at London Heathrow from 11am this morning for my flight but after several delays (check my Instagram) and then a cabin crew incident our @British_Airways flight got cancelled! “.
He continued, sharing his disappointment at missing his first gig ever: “Don’t think I’ve ever missed a gig before, am so annoyed! But am now in a car heading up for our 6hr journey for the Saturday and Sundays show right now.”
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James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.
