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06 Sept 2025

Westlife's tribute to Ian Dempsey from China gig leaves crowd roaring his name

Westlife's tribute to Ian Dempsey from China gig leaves crowd roaring his name

Irish pop-sensations shared their congratulations to the radio DJ while on stage in China

CELEBRATING 25 years at the helm of the Today FM Breakfast Show this Thursday is none other than Ian Dempsey, a steadfast companion to commuters and early risers.

Ian Dempsey, affectionately known as "Iano," took the reins of the Today FM Breakfast Show in 1998 and swiftly became a household name in Ireland. His witty banter and infectious humor have set the stage for countless Irish mornings.

The silver jubilee of Dempsey's illustrious career in morning radio is being celebrated with a resounding chorus of fanfare, accompanied by heartfelt tributes from music legends.

The surprises didn't end there, as pop sensations Westlife, who happened to be touring in China at the time, joined in the celebration with a heartfelt video tribute for the beloved radio DJ.

Nicky Byrne extended their warm wishes from thousands of miles away, saying, "Iano, you're celebrating 25 years on the radio, an incredible achievement. We just wanted to say congratulations." The video then transitioned to a shot taken by Nicky on stage, where Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Mark Feehily joined in to share their congratulations. The icing on the cake was the enthusiastic shout of "Iano" from the crowd in Guangzhou, honoring the iconic broadcaster.


Next up to pay tribute was country music icon Garth Brooks, who recorded a special video message for the occasion, posted on Today FM's Twitter account.

Brooks expressed his admiration for Ian Dempsey, saying, "Garth Brooks here, congratulating you on 25 years on Today FM in Ireland. How cool is that, man? Me and you get to be playing music for a long, long time. How lucky are we? I love you, pal."

As Ian Dempsey continues to captivate audiences each weekday morning, Today FM listeners can look forward to many more mornings with their beloved host, creating cherished memories for years to come.

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