Cliff Notes – Fans shocked to discover boxing star’s dad is 60s Eurovision icon
- Barry McGuigan’s father, Pat McGuigan, represented Ireland in the 1968 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing in fourth place with “Chance of a Lifetime.”
- Fans on social media connected Barry’s singing talent to his father’s musical legacy, noting the familial link to Eurovision.
Fans shocked to discover boxing star’s dad is 60s Eurovision icon
In a week whilst Eurovision is under pressure to ban Israeli acts, an unknown discovery comes to light.
I’m A Celebrity fans were stunned to discover that Barry McGuigan’s father is a legendary 60s singer who represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Taking to social media, they said it made ‘so much sense’ after the boxer, 63, surprised his campmates with his dulcet tones in the jungle last series.
Barry’s father, Pat McGuigan, who died in 1987 at age 52, came in fourth place in the annual singing competition in 1968.
He performed the song Chance of a Lifetime, which later hit the number one spot in the Irish charts.
After the Eurovision, McGuigan continued to release new music and became known for his rendition of the folk song Danny Boy.
I’m a celeb
On X, @simon_proctor commented after discovering the link: ‘Nice #ImACeleb#Eurovision connection – Barry’s Dad sang for Ireland at ESC68 with a song written by Irish TV legend @KennedyLucy’s Dad x.’
I’m A Celebrity campmate Barry McGuigan has a family link to the Eurovision (Picture: ITV/Shutterstock)
Barry’s dad, Pat, represented Ireland in the Eurovision (Picture: Ray McManus/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Echoing their sentiment, @kesc05 wrote: ‘Barry’s father being a eurovision participant makes so much sense #ImACeleb.’
@niall_horan commented: ‘You do realise Barry’s father sang in the #Eurovision for Ireland so his singing voice is in the genes #ImACeleb.’
@FacileTalk added: ‘Of course Barry can sing, his dad represented Oireland at Eurovision ’68. #imaceleb.’
In 2014, Barry spoke about the influence his father had on his career as a boxer after telling him to pursue his passions.
His song also reached number one in the Irish charts (Picture: Larry Ellis/Daily Express/Getty Images)
He told the Daily Express: ‘I’d started boxing as a young boy, and although my parents hadn’t been keen on me becoming a professional boxer, they could see I had real talent—and my dad always said I should do what I loved. Over the years, he drummed into me the importance of hard work and passion.
‘I felt the same way about boxing as Dad did about singing, and I pushed myself hard to become the best.’
Barry also spoke about his father’s death from cancer, saying: ‘Dad died suddenly from cancer in 1987. He was only 52. I was grief-stricken, as he’d always been there by my side.
‘Not long after, I decided to retire from professional boxing, although to this day I remain heavily involved in the sport.’
Barry said his father encouraged his career
Barry spoke about his daughter Danika’s death in the jungle.
On I’m A Celebrity, in which he was eliminated fifth ahead of Danny Jones’s eventual win, Barry also reflected on his daughter, actress Danika’s death from bowel cancer aged 33.
‘No matter what I do, it all comes back,’ Barry said while 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 were left heartbroken, with @ScottTHFC23 writing on X: ‘To open up to a group of people he don’t know, especially just on day two is very hard, feel so heartbroken for him, it’s heartbreaking how much he has had to go through.’
‘I could just feel the pain watching him,’ @ElaineDoherty12 said.
‘I absolutely feel for Barry, no parent should have to go through that His pain is real and it’s heartbreaking,’ @MrsKatShort said.
This year, Eurovision is being held in Basel, Switzerland, following the country’s win last year with The Code by Nemo.
While three-piece girl group Remember Monday represents the UK, Ireland will be represented by Emmy with her song Laika Party.