Scottish singer plucked from hotel bar to open for Take That at Glasgow Hydro

A Scottish singer has taken to the stage as an opening act for Take That – after Scottish presenter Ross King heard him performing in a hotel bar before the show.

Ross was enjoying drinks in the Radisson RED, opposite the Hydro, before the show at the Hydro when news broke that flights in London had been cancelled, and Olly Murs could no longer open the show that evening.

Ross texted good friend, and lead singer of Take That, Gary Barlow, to see if everything was okay. Gary jokingly asked if he knew a singer at short notice. Despite the joke, Ross told him that there was a young man playing in the bar of the hotel at that moment – Daniel Rooney.

Asked if he wanted to open for Take Take, the Cambuslang singer jumped at the chance, taking to the stage to a welcome cheer from the home crowd.

And while Radisson RED manager Graham Chalmers was a bit shocked at Daniel’s sudden departure, he was thrilled that the local singer was getting his big break.

He said: “Danny plays regularly for us – working with grassroots artists is huge for us and he is someone we thought really has something.

“It’s important to us to showcase Scotland’s talent – in fact we are opening a new live music venue with that ethos at the heart of it, the Rotunda and Roundhouse across from the hotel.

“So, It was a strange moment when I looked over and saw Danny put his coat on and lift his guitar – I asked him what was going on but when he told me, how could you stand in the way of that sort of opportunity?

“We’re really pleased for him and thanks to Ross for coming in again and of course for spotting the kind of talent we have at Radisson RED!”

Attendees at the show were also blown away by the performance, praising Danny on social media, with one person saying: “Huge congrats to Daniel Rooney of Cambuslang. Filling in on 30mins notice for Olly Murs who was stuck in London. What a fab into to the big stage.”

While another added that he “smashed it” and they “Loved his performance”.

Glasgow Take That megafan Claire Thomas, 46, of Muirhead, agreed, saying: “Daniel was great, I preferred him to Olly – I hope he makes it big.”

Olly Murs was stuck in London after his flight was cancelled, leaving him unable to perform at the Hydro.

A statement posted on social media read: “We are sorry to advise, due to unforeseen circumstances beyond anyone’s control, Olly Murs cannot perform tonight (Friday) in Glasgow. We’re very sorry for the inconvenience.”

Murs updated his fans as he took to X to share his disappointment, writing: “So sorry to everyone at the @takethat show tonight in Glasgow, unfortunately I won’t be there, I have been at London Heathrow from 11am this morning for my flight but after several delays (check my Instagram) and then a cabin crew incident our @British_Airways flight got cancelled!

“Don’t think I’ve ever missed a gig before, am so annoyed! But am now in a car heading up for our 6hr journey for the Saturday and Sundays show right now.”

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