Danny O’Donoghue and Mark Sheehan spent over 25 years playing alongside one another, most notably in The Script, before Sheehan’s sudden passing in 2023.
The Script frontman Danny O’Donoghue has spoken candidly about the passing of the band’s lead guitarist, Mark Sheehan, who died after a brief, undisclosed illness in April 2023. With the band set to return with its first album in five years, O’Donoghue shared just how difficult he found it to return to his music career while dealing with grief.
Danny O’Donoghue opens up about death of Mark Sheehan
In a recent interview with Magic Radio, O’Donoghue cast a light on the toll Sheehan’s unexpected passing took on his mental health and personal wellbeing.
“I couldn’t articulate, I couldn’t write anything for literally seven to eight months,” explained the celebrity. “You know, I started hitting the drink pretty hard and just really went off the rails”.
It wasn’t until a moment of self-reflection around the festive period that the Breakeven singer was able to tap back into his creative side.
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“It would have been around Christmastime I’d had my fill of Guinness, you know, back home in Ireland, and I got back here (London) on the 27th.
“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 (Sheehan) would have wanted.’”
O’Donoghue talks The Script’s new formation ahead of band’s return
After a more than justified spell out of the limelight, The Script’s return is now in full swing, with the release of the band’s comeback single, Both Ways, on May 17.
Previously a three-piece band, The Script has recruited previous touring musician Benjamin Sargeant on bass and backing vocals, while an entirely new addition to the group, Ben Weaver, is stepping up to take over from Sheehan on guitar.
“We were never going to replace Mark and, you know, achieve what that same thing was,” explained the former The Voice UK judge, adding “so let’s change the formation of the band.”
While the band is set to go on an extensive UK and European tour later this year to celebrate the release of its forthcoming alum, O’Donoghue stressed that Sheehan’s memory will live on in their new music: “I guess what you hear is somebody coming out of that depression. 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 there’s a tribute to Mark on there.”
If you are affected by any issues raised in the article or would like someone to speak to, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. You can also email them at jo@samaritans.org or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch in the UK.
In the US, please visit Samaritans USA for more information. You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line. Americans can now call or text 988 to reach out and speak to a counselor.
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