The Script's Danny O’Donoghue Went 'Off the Rails' When Bandmate Mark Sheehan Died

"Drinking, smoking, everything," the musician said in an interview with 'Lorraine'

Danny O’Donoghue is opening up about how he struggled after his bandmate died.

During an appearance on Lorraine on Thursday, May 23, the Irish singer-songwriter, 43, revealed how he went "off the rails" after Mark Sheehan died at age 46 in April 2023.

“Around Christmas-time, I went off the rails after Mark passed away. Like everybody does. Drinking, smoking, everything,” O'Donoghue said.

He continued: "I went on a mental block - I had a writers’ block for a long time last year."

Related: The Script Guitarist Mark Sheehan Dead at 46 Following 'Brief Illness'

But once O'Donoghue came up with the lyrics “a shooting star across the sky,” his writer’s block subsided and and he was able to work on new music.

“It was the first time I was really able to articulate what I thought about the situation and the floodgates really opened then, as far as being creative [went],” he said.

O'Donoghue explained that he wants to face grief "stone cold sober."

“If you don’t, you’re only kicking it down the street," he said.

In April 2023, The Script announced on social media that Sheehan, the guitarist and co-founder of the band, had died.

"Much loved husband, father, brother, bandmate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness," the Instagram post read. "The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time."

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Sheehan founded the band in 2001 in Dublin with O'Donoghue and drummer Glen Power. The late guitarist and O'Donoghue were childhood friends and former members of the band Mytown.

In its original lineup, The Script released six studio albums and are best known for their songs "Breakeven," "Hall of Fame" and "The Man Who Can't Be Moved." Their self-titled debut LP reached No. 1 in both the United Kingdom and Ireland.

This month, The Script announced their first new album since Sheehan died with Satellites, due Friday, August 16.

Following the release of the album, the band is set to head out on a world tour, which will kick off in Cardiff, Wales on Monday, Nov. 18. Tickets will go on sale on Friday, May 24.

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