Alan Hughes: 'I’m a total hypochondriac, but I suppose it's down to my parents dying so young'

'Both my parents died when I was ten, within six months of each other. That was an unusual start to my life'

Sun, 17 Dec, 2023 - 18:02

Mary Cate Smith

Both my parents died when I was 10 within six months of each other. That was an unusual start to my life.

I went to Enniscorthy to my brother’s home and I didn’t like it there. I moved around a bit but I always considered Ballyfermot my home.

There’s a 12-year gap between me and my next sibling and 20 years between the eldest and the youngest.

You don't get much worse than your mum and dad dying when you're young and moving home so much. That could set you down a certain path but you have to get your head together.

I suppose in one way it did make me stronger and more independent.

The entertainment bug was always in me. I've always wanted to do that.

My first job was as a train announcer at Heuston Station. I loved listening to my own voice. I was always drawn to something a bit unusual.

While I was doing that, I was going to acting classes and I joined Equity. I was an extra on every film that was made in Ireland.

I was only talking to Jim Sheridan last week about In the Name of the Father. Myself and Paul O’Grady are in it together and I just started reminiscing on that — it was amazing.

I'm actually quite reserved and shy in my own way. People would never think it. I am lucky to be doing what I'm doing.

Covid was a challenge — especially when you're building a product like our panto over so many years. The theatre we've been in for many, many years became a hotel.

That was a huge challenge and we came out the other side. We love the fact that the National Stadium now is our new home.

My proudest achievement is the longevity of myself and Karl’s relationship. We celebrated 25 years of the panto together this year. We're so proud of it.

We're two lads from working-class areas and with very little backing, we’ve turned our panto into this massive production. Every year now, about 45,000 people come, from [just] a couple of hundred that first year.

I have a lot of empathy for people and I always try to see the best in people. It can be very hard sometimes.

I wasn't always like that and I used to stress about things but I've become the type of person that goes; ‘Look — If this happens, it will happen and it's happening for a reason and we get over it.’

I'm open to giving second people chances even if they’ve let me down for some reason in the past.

Karl is the person I turn to most. We’re 30 years together. He's my best friend; he’s everything. He is the one that is there, 24/7.

Life is not a dress rehearsal; this is the real thing. So just go for it, take chances, and do stuff you want to do because you don't want to regret it.

I’d like to be remembered as someone who was kind to people, and just someone who made an impact through the work I’ve done with Ireland AM. Throughout covid, people said to me all the time that it brought cheer and joy into their lives.

I tear up all the time when someone says; ‘that has helped me through so much’ whether they might be going through chemo or something like that.

People have this sort of affinity with me. I'm very genuine and I think people see that.

People [think] I can’t sing but anytime I do karaoke people go; ‘Oh my gosh, you have a great voice.’

I trained when I was younger. I was part of the world-famous Bunratty entertainers and I would go on tour with them.

Death scares me. Some people are very calm about it but when I think about it, I freak out. I’m a total hypochondriac, but I suppose it's down to my parents dying so young, and I have a brother and sister who died of cancer.

My brother-in-law just died of cancer. One of my best friends died of cancer. I can’t even listen to the word ‘cancer’ anymore.

I literally go for blood tests every six months. That's why I try to live my life to the fullest because I know we're not going to be here forever.

I just want to be able to look back at the end and go; you know what? I had a good life and I did everything I wanted to do.