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6 months ago
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A local singer from a small town in Scotland became a star last night after he was spotted in a hotel bar and ended up being the opening act for Take That.
Daniel Rooney, of Cambuslang, was playing in Radisson RED in Glasgow when he was noticed by celebrity correspondent and TV presenter Ross King - a 'good friend' of Gary Barlow.
X-Factor star Olly Murs had been due to start Take That's show at the Hydro in Glasgow, but was forced to cancel at the last minute, leaving the band with no opening act.
Gary jokingly texted his friend Ross to ask if he knew a singer at short notice, when the presenter told him there was a talented young man playing in the bar of the hotel next door - Daniel Rooney.
With just 30 minutes' notice, Daniel was asked to head over to the Hydro and play to a crowd of 14,000.
He performed covers of favourites including 70s hit Stuck in the Middle With You by Stealers Wheel and 2009 track Candy by Paolo Nutini.
Since then, Daniel's social media has blown up, receiving hundreds of new followers on Instagram every hour - with many new fans claiming he is 'much better' than Olly Murs.
Local singer Daniel Rooney (pictured) became a star last night after he was spotted in a hotel bar and ended up being the opening act for Take That
Daniel was given the big break after he was spotted by Ross King playing in a hotel bar last night
Daniel, from Cambuslang, Scotland, posts singing videos with his guitar on social media
Local singer Daniel is used to playing local gigs and opened up for Take That with just 30 minutes notice
Take That performing last night at the Hydro in Glasgow following an amazing set from Daniel Rooney
Aspiring musician Daniel found himself supporting the boyband, with frontman Gary Barlow saying the lad had 'saved the day'
Take That are seen performing at the Hydro in Glasgow last night after Daniel's opening act
Gary Barlow playing at the Hydro last night for the band's show in Glasgow
Ross King (pictured) spotted Daniel playing in Radisson RED in Glasgow last night and recommended him to Gary Barlow
One fan wrote on Facebook: 'Yes Daniel Rooney Music ... Olly Murs who?'
Another said: 'Daniel Rooney... much better than Olly Murs.'
A third wrote: 'Who needs Olly Murs when you have Daniel Rooney Music a young lad from Cambuslang! I hope he goes on to do more.'
Members of Daniel's family also shared their shock and support at their relative's unexpected performance. One family member wrote: 'Well done my brilliant cousin.'
A friend said: 'Go on my son' with a heart emoji.
A gobsmacked Daniel said after his Hydro performance: 'It's hard to take it in, it's really surreal'.
'I'm just having a chance now to look at my phone and talk to my Mrs and parents and stuff. It was fast - 20 minutes before going on I met Gary and the guys and we talked about what songs to do'.
'It was great, I got some good singalongs with the crowd etc and it felt like they were really behind me.'
He continued: 'I know some people were not happy about Olly but as soon as I went up and had a chat they were brilliant.
'Ross [King] went up first and announced what was going on, he explained I was playing in Radisson RED when Gary asked him to help so he came up to me and asked me to play the Hydro instead.
'I still had 45 minutes to go at the hotel but what can you do with something like this – but they're really happy for me.'
Other music lovers who attended the show also shared their amazement at the budding star's talent. One wrote: 'What a night. Disappointed that Olly Murs didn't make it, big shout out to a local lad Daniel Rooney, one minute playing a wee gig in a hotel to be being asked if he can go over to the Hydro to support Take That.
'He got the full support of the crowd and pulled off probably the gig of his life (he will go far).'
Gary Barlow thanked the artist, whose career is sure to blow up following the gig, saying: 'This young man saved the day thank you @danielrooney_music.'
Daniel pictured with his guitar on stage for the unexpected gig in Glasgow
Daniel posts videos of himself singing and playing the guitar on his social media accounts
Daniel is an aspiring musician who performs covers and also writes his own songs
After the show, Danny headed back to the hotel to join bandmate John McLaughlin of Johnny Mac and the The Faithful, who rushed down to take over his original gig
Musician Daniel is seen playing his guitar in footage he posted on social media
Daniel playing at the Hydro in Glasgow, where he was the last minute opening act for Take That
Hundreds of people have taken to social media to praise local singer Daniel for his amazing performance
Daniel stood in after Murs spent eight and a half hours at Heathrow Airport before his BA flight was axed. The 39-year-old said he had never missed a gig in his life, especially one supporting a global supergroup.
'Daniel Rooney smashed it,' Lorraine Cant wrote on X/Twitter. 'He's no Olly Murs, but gave an incredible performance with 30 minutes notice!'
After the set, Daniel headed back to the hotel to join bandmate John McLaughlin of Johnny Mac and the The Faithful, who rushed down to take over his original gig.
Daniel has high hopes the opportunity will help give him a platform to showcase his own songs as an artist in his own right.
'It's early days – it was an amazing night but I hope it will help me show people what I can do and what I am about, with my own music.
'For now I'm going to head back to the hotel, see Johnny and try to get my head round it all.'
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