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

The I’m A Celebrity star’s father competed at Eurovision (Picture: Larry Ellis/Daily Express/Getty Images)

Eurovision Song Contest fans have been surprised to discover that boxing star Barry McGuigan’s father is a legendary 60s singer who represented Ireland in the annual competition.

Pat McGuigan, who died in 1987 aged 52 after being diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, a rare type of blood cancer, came in fourth place in the annual singing competition in 1968.

He performed 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 folk song Danny Boy.

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.’

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.’

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

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

In 2014, former I’m A Celebrity campmate Barry, 64, spoke about his father’s influential role in his boxing career.

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 (Picture: James Gourley/ITV/Shutterstock) Ireland’s 2025 entry is Norwegian popster Emmy (Picture: Joe Maher/Getty Images)

This year, Ireland’s entry for the Eurovision is Norwegian singer-songwriter Emmy, 24, with the song Laika Party.

She is representing Ireland after competing in Eurosong 2025, the Irish national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2025.

At Eurosong 2025’s national final, Emmy won both the jury vote and televote.

The bookies’ current favourite to win the annual singing competition is Sweden’s entry, music and comedy group Kaj and their song Bara Badu Basta.

A version of this article was first published on December 2, 2024.

Watch Eurovision across the BBC between May 13 and May 17.

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