THE Script frontman Danny O'Donoghue admitted he "went off the rails" following the tragic death of bandmate and close pal Mark Sheehan.

The For The First Time hitmaker, 43, was candid as he admitted he spent his days "drinking and smoking" following the Irish guitarist's passing in 2023, aged 46.

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Mark was co-founder of The Script back in 2001 but worked in music for years before with pal Danny, with the pair being best mates since the age of 12.

Danny, who has been booze, caffeine and tobacco-free since the end of December, opened for the first time on Thursday's ITV Lorraine show.

He was frank as he admitted to host Lorraine Kelly, 64: "Around Christmas-time, I went after the rails after Mark passed away.

"Like everybody does. Drinking, smoking, everything.

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"I went on a mental block - I had a writers' block for a long time last year."

He then told how he came up with a particularly lyric about "a shooting star across the sky" which became the catalyst for the band's new material.

He added: "It was the first time I felt able to articulate what I thought about the situation and the floodgates really opened then, as far as being creative."

Danny then told how The Script would be touring their new material both on-stage supporting US popstar Pink and on their on shows.

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The former The Voice judge said: "Heading into summer we have some nice light pop music.

"It's maybe trying to be a bit more uplifting

"We feel after the year we had last year, we could do with a bit of positivity."

SAD STATEMENT

The Dublin-based group released a sad statement after Mark's unexpected death.

It read: "Much loved husband, father, brother, band mate and friend Mark Sheehan passed away today in hospital after a brief illness.

"The family and group ask fans to respect their privacy at this tragic time."

GREAT MATES

Danny and Mark were best friends since the age of 12 and originally part of boy band Mytown.

This group formed back in 1996.

The BFFs then recruited drummer Glen Power to complete what would be The Script line-up.

Mark spent most of his time in the US with his wife Reena.

He was happily married to the Texas native and the pair shared three kids before his tragic passing.

Back in 2022, Danny told how Mark had taken a break from touring the year before, to spend more time with his family.

Hall Of Fame singer Danny said: "It's his story to tell, but yeah, I guess if I could paraphrase, his children needed a father and his wife needed a husband.

"He's been the engine of The Script for such a long time, [I told him] that 'if you want to take a bit of time out for your family you are more than welcome to, and I insist on you going and doing it'.

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"He took a little bit of time off. You get refreshed, then you come back with a new zest for life.

"And I believe it was the best thing that could have happened for all of us."

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