'Am I out with Taylor Swift?,' asks Daniel O'Donnell

Daniel O'Donnell dropped Now And Then on the same day as Taylor Swift's The Life of a Showgirl

While the world reacted to Taylor Swift's hotly-anticipated twelfth album, The Life of a Showgirl, on Friday, another legend in the music industry released his latest collection of tracks.

Daniel O'Donnell dropped Now And Then, featuring country songs and cover tracks.

Yet the Irish music veteran was seemingly unaware it was entering the charts alongside one of the most famous women in the world.

"Am I out with Taylor?," he asked while speaking to BBC Radio Ulster's Evening Extra programme.

"Oh my God.

"Now, I wonder if she's afraid of me?"

The Life of a Showman

The County Donegal native said he was thrilled to be releasing another album.

He has 12 gold-selling albums to his name and has sold more than 10 million albums.

"Sure, it's always great. Even though it's album 40-something it's always exciting to put out new music and a new album.

"And when I think back to when I did the first one away back in 1984, I never thought 40 years later I'd still be releasing albums.

"So it's great, and I'm grateful to the people who've followed me all down the years.

"Without them, sure I wouldn't be doing it - so I hope you enjoy it."

Coronation Street

Daniel O'Donnell is set to take a break from the industry in 2026, aside from a few commitments, to focus on his health, after struggling with allergies.

Though he said he is "feeling great, thank God".

He will be undergoing treatments, taking a few holidays and spending time with his grandchildren.

Away from his glittering career in Irish country music there are goals to be ticked off his bucket list.

He said he would love a walk-on cameo in ITV soap Coronation Street, including a walk on the famous cobbles.

"I might be running out of time though," he said.

"Sure they can't have everybody on that wants to come on.

"But I would sweep, wash dishes, doesn't matter, I don't even need to talk.

"I might be able to have an affair with Mary, you never know."