Ronan Keating fought back tears as he dedicated one of his greatest hits to his late brother on Sunday night, two weeks after he was killed in a road accident.
Ciarán, Ronan’s older brother, died on Saturday, July 15 at the age of 57 in a car accident in County Mayo, Ireland.
The devastated Boyzone star performed his first live show since the tragedy at Uptown Festival, along with Magic Radio, on South London’s Blackheath Common.
Beset by torrential downpours one night, 46-year-old Ronan admitted he was unsure if he would be able to fulfill his performance at the event due to the tragedy and subsequent burial of his brother on July 20.
He told fans, “The rain has finally stopped. For me it’s usually the other way around when I do these kinds of festivals, as soon as I walk on stage the heavens open, but I got lucky tonight – someone is looking after me.
Emotional: Ronan Keating fought back tears as he dedicated one of his greatest hits to his late brother on Sunday night, two weeks after he died in a road accident
Back on stage: The devastated Boyzone star performed his first live show since the tragedy at Uptown Festival, along with Magic Radio, at London’s Blackheath Common
Uncertain: The 46-year-old singer admitted he didn’t know if he would be able to fulfill his performance at the event due to the tragedy and subsequent funeral of his brother
“I didn’t know if I’d be here tonight or not, it’s been quite a time for our family so thank you so much for the warm welcome and I hope we get through this together – this will be a special one.”
The singer was visibly emotional as he opened up with a live performance of his 2002 number one single, If Tomorrow Never Comes, a song originally released by country star Garth Brooks.
The song’s poignant lyrics, which address a father’s love for his daughter, reflect on poignant lyrics including “I’ve lost love ones in my life/Who never knew how much I loved them/Living now I regret/That my true feelings for them are never revealed.’
Ronan was supported by his wife Storm, 41, at his brother’s funeral at St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland on Thursday, July 20.
Ciarán was on his way to watch his son, Ruairí Keating, play for Cork City FC against Sligo Rovers FC when he was involved in a collision with two other vehicles.
The father-of-three, from Louisburgh, suffered fatal injuries while traveling with his wife Anne Marie on the N5 near Swinford, County Mayo, on a stretch of road known as an accident black spot. His wife was injured in the accident.
The driver of the other vehicle was to be treated for serious injuries, while Ann Marie, a high school teacher, was treated for injuries believed to be non-life threatening at Mayo University Hospital.
At the funeral this month, Ronan performed a heartbreaking rendition of This Is Your Song as a moving tribute to his brother.
Moved: “I didn’t know if I would be here tonight or not, it’s been a long time for our family, so thank you very much for the warm welcome,” he told the audience
Difficult: Ronan was supported by his wife Storm, 41, at his brother’s funeral at St Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo, Ireland on Thursday July 20
He told the mourners during the service, “I shouldn’t be singing it in these circumstances, but we are doing it and we will.”
The Irish singer said the ballad was written after their mother, Marie, died of cancer in 1998.
The touching song features the lyrics, “You were our friend, walk with you to the end, and one day we’ll all sing along, because this is your song.”
Ronan appeared overcome with emotion as he carried Ciaran’s coffin into the church along with his family while wearing a black suit and dark glasses.
Before singing, Ronan tearfully paid tribute to Ciaran’s three children – Conall, Ruairi and Aisling – saying they had made their father “very proud.”
He told mourners, “As a parent, all you want is to raise your children to the best of your ability. Ciaran and Annemarie did a fantastic job – three incredible people.
“Your strength these past few days has been incredible and you have made your father very proud.”
Making music: Singer Ronan showed energy as he entertained fans at the music festival over the weekend, looking good in a blue-grey suit
Performer: The former Boyzone star was seen playing his guitar and singing from behind a silver microphone stand as he took the stage for the solo performance
Born to perform: Ronan was seen extending his arms to either side of him as he entertained the crowd at the festival
Ronan’s wife Storm shared a message of grief on her Instagram on Saturday following the tragic death of his brother Ciarán.
In her first social media post since his passing, Storm shared an emotional quote that read, “And she’d be lying if she said sometimes she didn’t think about the moments that could have been and the memories that should have been. .’
Captioning the quote, she wrote “Grief” as she tried to process her feelings during this difficult time.
Storm was pictured last week comforting her husband, 46, at his brother’s funeral. She held Ronan tight outside St. Patrick’s Church in Louisburgh, County Mayo.
Ronan is said to have rushed to Ireland to be with his family after the tragedy.
Tragedy: Ciaran Keating (left), was 57. Pictured: The Keating family including Ronan (right), his father Gerry (second from right) and sister Linda (second from left)
Devastating: Ronan (center right) helped carry his brother’s coffin from St. Patrick’s Church after his funeral last week. Ciaran’s son Ruairí (behind Ronan) was also there
He is the youngest of five children with a sister, Linda, and three brothers – Ciarán, Gerard and Gary.
Their father Gerry was a truck driver and his mother Marie was a hairdresser.
Ronan rose to prominence in the 1990s as a member of the Irish boy band Boyzone.
He later enjoyed a successful music career and hosted radio and TV programmes.
Pictured: Boyzone star Ronan with his older brother Ciarán in an undated photo