Ronan Keating taking over lead in Once the Musical

Ronan Keating is to make his West End debut playing the lead in the musical Once at the Phoenix Theatre. The rumours about this have been around for a while and have to say I am excited about this being confirmed as I think vocally he is perfect for the part. It's just the 8 shows a week which will be a bit of a shock to his system!

Keating will be performing the role of Dublin-based street musician Guy who falls for a Czech pianist for a limited season from November 17th through to March 21st.

The Boyzone lead joked that he received a phone call from Barbara Broccoli, who produces the James Bond films and Once, ‘on her 007 number’ saying ‘I’ve been offered quite a few theatre roles in the past, but when the call came from her on her 007 phone, I had to take it seriously.’

The show has a very beautiful and moving score so it's no surprise that he has seen Once several times and on each occasion he and girlfriend Storm Uechtritz ended up crying. 

Listen to Ronan singing Falling Slowly from Once with Kimberley Walsh.

Ronan Keating has a busy time before he starts rehearsals for Once with a new Boyzone Tour starting soon, his film Goddess due for UK release on 27th June and then he is due to return to Australia where he is on the judging panel for American Idol.