Westlife paused their first Newcastle show on Saturday night to pay tribute to fan Danielle O'Keane, who died this week after suffering 'life ending' injuries in a crash following one of their Dublin concerts. Shane Filan looked visibly moved as he dedicated the band's hit Flying Without Wings to the mother of two.
Tribute to Danielle O'Keane
Danielle, 37, from Newry, was heading into Dublin city centre with friends after the Westlife concert at the 3Arena last Saturday night when the rickshaw she was travelling in hit a curb. She was taken to the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital with severe injuries and placed in Intensive Care on a ventilator.
After fighting for her life surrounded by loved ones, Danielle passed away on Friday. Shane told fans about her death and spoke about her husband Dave and their two children before beginning Flying Without Wings, a song that has always meant a lot to many people.
Emotional moments at the show
Danielle was also mentioned before Westlife began their penultimate number, the 2005 number 1 You Raise Me Up. Shane, Nicky and Kian dedicated the song to anyone in the room who had lost a loved one, as drones soared above and turned red to form a heart shape in the air.
Flying Without Wings and You Raise Me Up were moving moments in a concert that showcased Westlife at their best. The band will return to the Utilita Arena on Sunday for the second packed North East date of their 25th Anniversary tour.
