Die-hard Daniel O’Donnell fans have camped out for three nights enduring torrential rain, gale-force winds and even a BOMB SCARE to get front row seats to see their hero.
Devoted Anne Williams, Phil Orchard and Gillian Leach wear several layers of clothing to ward off the cold as they slept in tents to secure the sought after tickets.
The trio descended on the Plymouth Pavilions, Devon, on Wednesday evening – a full 60 hours before tickets to see the Irish star went on sale.
On the first day they weathered heavy rain and were kept awake at night gale-force winds but refused to leave their camp.
But the fan’s nerve was severely tested when an unexploded WW2 bomb was found just yards away on Thursday evening.
They refused to budge as dozens of police officers and bomb disposal experts set up a cordon and removed the device.
Managers say the dedicated trio have broken the record for longest amount of time anyone has queued outside the venue.
Anne, who took annual leave from her job as a sales negotiator to set up camp, said she is the Irish stars biggest fan.
The 55-year-old, from St Austell, Cornwall, said: ”Everyone at work thinks I’m mad. Nothing will drive us away.
”The Irish are just so friendly. The only other act that I have camped out for was Boyzone.”
Anne added that she was so obsessed with Ireland she wears a map of the country round her neck.
The three friends, who have camped out together for tickets on many occasions, arrived outside the venue and pitched their tents on Wednesday evening.
Phil, a 63-year-old self-employed stonemason from Wadebridge, Cornwall, said: ”We’ve all got the same thing in common. It’s nice to know you’re not going to be on your own.”
Gillian, a charity shop manager for Scope in Torquay, Devon, said the three were brought together over a mutual love of the Irish star 18 years ago.
Plymouth Pavilions staff have supported the three, who were yesterday joined by around a dozen others, with access to toilets and water and a constant supply of warm drinks.
Robert Maltby, of The Pavilions, said the three fans had now smashed their own record for the longest wait for tickets at the venue – set at 40 hours.
Mr Maltby said the longest people normally queue is for about eight hours for a big pop or rock gig.
He added: ”They really give the youngsters a run for their money. But it also goes to show the kind of loyalty Daniel attracts.
”He’s prepared to stay until 2 or 3am signing autographs. It’s that sort of dedication that makes your fans repay you.”
O’Donnell’s music, which became well-known in the 1980s, has been described as a mix of country and Irish folk.
He has sold more than 10 million records and appears in Plymouth on March 30.
Hundreds of people had to be evacuated from Plymouth city centre after an unexploded WW2 bomb was discovered.
Police cordoned off part of the city after workmen reported a ‘suspicious looking’ device partially buried in the ground, which was later safely removed.
