The Voice coach still in ‘middle of depression’ after sudden death of bandmate
Danny O’Donoghue has spoken about the death of bandmate Mark Sheehan (Picture: Sergione Infuso/Corbis via Getty Images)
The Voice star Danny O’Donoghue is still struggling after the death of his bandmate Mark Sheehan.
The Script frontman has opened up about his grief after lead guitarist Sheehan died aged 46 in April 2023 after a brief, undisclosed illness, and his passing has inspired the group’s new single Both Ways.
Danny, who appeared as a coach on The Voice for the UK show’s first two series, revealed he didn’t actually start writing and recording music again until after Christmas.
He was dealing with his own mental health struggles in the wake of his friend’s death, and the band’s upcoming album will give fans a glimpse at his trauma.
He told Magic Radio Breakfast hosts Ronan Keating and Harriet Scott: ‘We were never going to replace Mark and, you know, achieve what that same thing was, so let’s change the formation of the band.’
‘So now we’re a four-piece and the album itself, I guess what you hear is somebody coming out of that depression,’ he added. ‘I still feel like I’m in the middle of it, so I still feel like I’m writing it as it’s happening, so, you know, there’s a tribute to Mark on there.’
The Script star is still struggling (Picture: Debbie Hickey/Getty Images)
After Sheehan’s death, it took Danny until the New Year to try and get to grips with the idea of writing again as he tried to overcome his own personal struggles.
‘I couldn’t articulate, I couldn’t write anything for literally seven to eight months. You know, I started hitting the drink pretty hard and just really went off the rails,’ he confessed.
‘As you do, I guess, during those situations – and then it would have been around Christmas time I’d had my fill of Guinness, you know, back home in Ireland, and I got back here on the 27th.
‘So I got back home, to my house where I live in London and I just went, “That’s it, finished. I’m finished drinking, I’m finished feeling sorry for myself”. It’s not what he would have wanted.’
The Script only recently started recording music again (Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images)
Sheehan died in April 2023 (Picture: Harry Herd/WireImage)
Sheehan was one of the founding members of the band – formed in 2001 – alongside Danny and drummer Glen Power, with Ben Sargeant joining on bass this year after 17 years as a touring member, while guitarist Ben Weaver is the newest member.
Announcing their bandmate’s death in April 2023, the group said at the time: ‘Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness.
‘The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time.’
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