‘I try to get on with it' – Legendary Irish singer shares health update after heart surgery and relentless infection
IRISH singer Philomena Begley has opened up about her recent health struggles.
The
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Philomena has opened up about her health struggles
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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The country singer underwent heart surgery in 2019
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
Philomena was on the road with Mike Denver when she began to feel unwell and was forced to seek medical help.
In a recent interview with
The 82-year-old had the operation in May that year but it was followed by a relentless infection that lasted for months.
The country singer was then diagnosed with a "kind of pneumonia" and she "couldn't get rid of it".
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She revealed that a small care team visited her to give her injections over the course of a week.
Philomena eventually returned to touring in 2020 just weeks before the
She explained: "I got back on the road with Mike the following January and then two months later the pandemic hit. That was another wee break I had from music, but I made use of it."
Despite the health scare, the 82-year-old has said: "I've never really had a problem I couldn't overcome. My children will tell you I complain a lot though [laughs]."
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She also spoke candidly about her outlook on life and admitted she doesn't dwell on her own illness.
Philomena said: "I complain every now and again, but when I look around and see people who are genuinely sick I realise what's wrong with me is nothing.
Shane MacGowan and Philomena Begle perform Fairytale of New York on The Late Late special
"It's just overthinking things you don't need to be concerned about.
"Overthinking is the worst, it's worse than anything. I try to get on with it because there are other people who are worse off."
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Philomena recently
A past episode saw the biggest names in Irish country music join
Philomena Begley, Cliona Hagan, Michael English and Gerry Guthrie all played a game called Wild West Roulette.
'SUPERSTAR'
The Co Down presenter pressed the buzzer to spin the wheel and see which artist came up.
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The country stars then had to nominate themselves to sing a song by that artist.
When it landed on
The 80-year-old shouted: "Yes, it's me!
She explained: "I tell you what, I bought an album years and years ago of ABBA and I came across this song - The Way That Old Friends Do.
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"I had it recorded and it did very well for me too. It bubbled in the British charts. That's my claim to fame."
The Tyrone native gave a knockout performance and wowed the audience
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