Ronan Keating has announced that he is leaving the Magic Radio Breakfast show after seven years, live on air during Thursday’s show.
The Boyzone star, 47, became a co-host on the morning show alongside Harriet Scott in September 2017.
Speaking on Thursday morning, he revealed he was stepping down from presenting the breakfast show, with his last show on July 31, but said he would remain in the Magic Radio family.
Ronan insisted it had been a ‘difficult decision’, but that he wanted to get back to his music career and spend more time with his family.
It comes a week after the singer sparked concern from fans, when he revealed a new tattoo tribute to his wife Storm, saying she had ‘a challenge ahead’.
Ronan Keating has announced that he is leaving the Magic Radio Breakfast show after seven years, live on air during Thursday’s show (pictured with Harriet Scott on show)
The Boyzone star, 47, became a co-host on the morning show alongside Harriet Scott in September 2017 and revealed his last show would be on July 31, but said he would remain in the Magic Radio family (pictured with Harriet)
Ronan insisted it had been a ‘difficult decision’, but that he wanted to get back to his music career and spend more time with his family
Addressing the listeners live on air in the studio, Ronan said: ‘It’s been very difficult for me to come to this conclusion, and to make this decision.
‘I wanted our listeners, our Magic Breakfast listeners and our Magic Radio listeners be the first to know. That after seven years and so many incredible shows, I’ve decided to stand down from Magic Breakfast at the end of July.
‘I have loved every single minute, this has not been an easy decision at all. I came on board as you know for a year, maybe two and I’ve loved the job so much that I’ve stayed here for seven.
‘We’ve had an amazing time and we’ve been through some incredibly emotional times with people at home.
‘Those two years that the world changed. It was an honour to be able to be in people’s homes and communicate with them like we did.’
Speaking to co-host Harriet, he continued: ‘So yeah, although I won’t be waking the nation up anymore with you, I look forward to, I guess reconnecting with what I did before this – you know getting back to my music and touring. Even though I’ve been doing it, trying to do both together has not been easy at times.
‘And getting back to being with my family – you know doing school runs and those things that I’ve missed out on. Waking up with my wife in the morning, you know? I know it sounds ridiculous but it’s really important and I’ve missed that.’
He went on to pay tribute to Harriet and thank the listeners and crew, saying: ‘What I’ve realised is how incredible it is to connect with people.
It comes a week after the singer sparked concern from fans, when he revealed a new tattoo tribute to his wife Storm, saying she had ‘a challenge ahead’ (pictured together last month)
Last week he took to his Instagram to share a photo of his new tattoo, revealing a black and white ink drawing of a female warrior holding a sword on the back of his arm
Captioning the photo, Ronan revealed the tattoo was for Storm as he praised her ‘strength’ and cryptically declared he would be by her side
‘The medium of radio is so powerful, more powerful than anything else in this modern age. And it’s been a real honour to broadcast and be considered a radio broadcaster.
‘You [Harriet] and I, they put us together. Who knew that this could work?! It’s been incredible. I’m going to miss you. It’d been an amazing seven years.
‘You’ve taught me so much Harriet Scott, you’re a radio legend, and it has been an honour to broadcast with you.
‘You’ve shown me how to do this and it’s been an honour, and I’m not leaving the Magic Radio family, just Magic Breakfast for me – it’s time for me to go.
‘A massive thank you to everybody for the love you’ve shown me, the love you’ve shown this show for the last seven years. It’d been incredible.’
After the news, Harriet gushed: ‘Well what can I say, I’m heartbroken that I’ll soon no longer be sharing my mornings with my sidekick, but I’m also absolutely delighted for him to be embarking on his next chapter.
‘Ronan is one of a kind and I know we haven’t seen the last of him here at Magic!’
Ronan’s departure comes just days after he caused his fans to worry about his wife Storm, after he shared a cryptic Instagram post.
The couple have been married since 2015 and share son, Cooper Archer, seven, and four-year-old daughter, Coco Knox, while Ronan also shares Jack, 25, Missy, 23, and Ali, 18, with his ex-wife Yvonne Connolly (pictured with Jack, Cooper, Ali and Missy)
His followers were quick to praise the singer, but many flooded the comments section with messages sharing concern about Storm and sending their well-wishes
While fellow radio DJ Zoe Ball also commented on the post, penning: ‘sending you all love and strength x’
He has been married to the TV producer, 42, since 2015 after they met on The X Factor Australia in 2010.
The pair went on to welcome son, Cooper Archer, seven, and four-year-old daughter, Coco Knox, while Ronan also shares Jack, 25, Missy, 23, and Ali, 18, with his ex-wife Yvonne Connolly.
Last week he took to his Instagram to share a photo of his new tattoo, revealing a black and white ink drawing of a female warrior holding a sword on the back of his arm.
Captioning the photo, Ronan revealed the tattoo was for Storm as he praised her ‘strength’ and declared he would be by her side.
He wrote: ‘For you my warrior today and every day. My Stormy. A challenge ahead but your strength blows my mind. With you every step. Love you baby.’
His followers were quick to praise the singer, but many flooded the comments section with messages sharing concern about Storm and sending their well-wishes.
They wrote: ‘Hope Storm is ok, love the tattoo. Sending lots of love and positive prayers ❤️ I hope Storm is ok?’
‘Hope all is ok, whatever it is – you got this Storm❤️; Sending love with whatever is going on. You can get through whatever together’.
The concern for Storm comes after she developed a rare condition in 2021 that caused her to suffer temporary paralysis from the waist down
The Australian star underwent emergency spinal surgery after waking up one morning to find that parts of her body were ‘completely numb’ (pictured in 2021)
‘I’m missing the story here, could someone fill in the blanks please; What’s wrong with storm’.
While fellow radio DJ Zoe Ball also commented on the post, penning: ‘sending you all love and strength x’.
The concern for Storm comes after she developed a rare condition in 2021 that caused her to suffer temporary paralysis from the waist down.
She was diagnosed with Cauda Equina Syndrome, which causes the nerves in the lower back to suddenly become compressed and can lead to loss of sensation, incontinence and paralysis if not treated immediately.
The Australian star underwent emergency spinal surgery after waking up one morning to find that parts of her body were ‘completely numb’.
Speaking on Loose Women in December 2021, Storm said: ‘It was all gone. My legs, my bowel, my bladder, the lot.’
She revealed that as coronavirus restrictions meant Ronan couldn’t visit her in hospital, he was left ‘crying in the car’ outside during the terrifying ordeal.
She recalled: ‘Because of COVID he couldn’t get into the hospital so all he was getting was me on WhatsApp, or me on the end of the phone speaking to the surgeon.
‘He was sitting in the car park and just crying in the car outside the hospital waiting to hear how it would go.’
Ronan admitted that hearing his wife talk about the incident ‘brought back the same feeling’ that he experienced at the time.
The Life Is a Rollercoaster hitmaker remembered ‘bawling his eyes out’ due to ‘not knowing’ what his wife was going through in hospital, and added that it was the first time he had ever called an ambulance.
After what Storm described as ‘the most frightening week’ of her life, she underwent a full year of rehabilitation and is able to walk again after the successful surgery.
