Fans shocked to discover boxing star’s dad is 60s Eurovision icon

I’m A Celebrity followers have been shocked to discover that Barry McGuigan’s father is a legendary 60s singer who represented Ireland within the Eurovision Song Contest.

Taking to social media, they stated it made ‘so much sense’ after the boxer, 63, shocked his campmates along with his dulcet tones within the jungle final collection.

Barry’s father, Pat McGuigan, who died in 1987 at age 52, got here in fourth place within the annual singing competitors in 1968.

He carried out the tune Chance of a Lifetime, which later hit the primary spot within the Irish charts.

After the Eurovision, McGuigan continued to launch new music and have become identified for his rendition of the people tune Danny Boy.

On X, @simon_proctor commented after discovering the hyperlink: ‘Nice #ImACeleb#Eurovision connection – Barry’s Dad sang for Ireland at ESC68 with a tune written by Irish TV legend @KennedyLucy’s Dad x.’

Echoing their sentiment, @kesc05 wrote: ‘Barry’s father being a eurovision participant makes a lot sense #ImACeleb.’

@niall_horan commented: ‘You do realise Barry’s father sang within the #Eurovision for Ireland so his singing voice is within the genes #ImACeleb.’

@FacileTalk added: ‘Of course Barry can sing, his dad represented Oireland at Eurovision ’68. #imaceleb.’

In 2014, Barry spoke concerning the affect his father had on his profession as a boxer after telling him to pursue his passions.

He informed the Daily Express: ‘I’d began boxing as a younger boy, and though my mother and father hadn’t been eager on me changing into knowledgeable boxer, they may see I had actual expertise—and my dad all the time stated I ought to do what I liked. Over the years, he drummed into me the significance of arduous work and fervour.

‘I felt the same way about boxing as Dad did about singing, and I pushed myself hard to become the best.’

Barry additionally spoke about his father’s dying from most cancers, saying: ‘Dad died suddenly from cancer in 1987. He was only 52. I was grief-stricken, as he’d all the time been there by my aspect.

‘Not long after, I decided to retire from professional boxing, although to this day I remain heavily involved in the sport.’

On I’m A Celebrity, by which he was eradicated fifth forward of Danny Jones’s eventual win, Barry additionally mirrored on his daughter, actress Danika’s death from bowel cancer aged 33.

‘No matter what I do, it all comes back,’ Barry stated whereas in tears, recalling the ‘horrible weeks’ when Danika was in hospital.

‘It was shocking.’

He continued: ‘She had pains in her tummy, but she was making the movie; she put it off and went to the doctor, who called us all in. Stage 4 bowel cancer, 5 weeks, 5 weeks she died.’

Viewers have been left heartbroken, with @ScottTHFC23 writing on X: ‘To open up to a group of people he don’t know, particularly simply on day two is very arduous, really feel so heartbroken for him, it’s heartbreaking how a lot he has had to undergo.’