Not many people get the chance to grab heartthrob pop superstar Ronan Keating.

But journalist Lorraine Howard, of the Irvine Herald, took her chance when she’d been told there would be no interviews with the press – and her cheek paid off.

She triumphantly told readers: “I made a grab for Ronan – and got him!”

Here’s her story about what happened at the One Big Sunday pop concert, when she managed to catch hold of Ronan, and keep hold of her professionalism, despite the pounding of her heart.

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The crowd may have been soaking up the sun but for me, One Big Sunday was hard work – not only did I miss the chance to sit back and enjoy the show, I had to fight autograph hunters and national newspapers to catch up with the stars and give Herald readers a peek behind the scenes.

Although I had been to two previous roadshows I had a funny feeling about this one as I knew it was going to be completely different from the rest.

First of all, the actual size of the crowd was something to see, the most Irvine had hosted for a roadshow was around 6,000, so a crowd of ten times that was an experience in itself.

And the stars were huge. I’m known in the office for sometimes getting a little starstruck, but armed with my trusty notepad and pen I set off for the time of my life.

After finally getting in behind the stage area the first thing that struck me was the sheer size of the rig that was transporting the roadshow around the country.

It was huge and the hospitality area too was giant, while the punters outside had to make do with portable toilets, the pop stars have luxury mobile lavatories to hide in if their nerves get too much.

But being famous isn’t glamorous as the star’s assistants even follow them to the loo if they are not fussing around them all the time.

There was a lot of waiting and hanging about as the glamorous dancers ran around performing high kicks and splits in preparation for their routines.

The afternoon got off to the best start as I managed to grab the small, but perfectly formed, Ronan Keating as he walked from the entrance to his dressing room – a Portakabin.

Consider yourself grabbed, Ronan!
Lorraine, centre, gets her man.

I was reduced to grabbing him as I had been told he was unlikely to carry out interviews due to his tight schedule but when a girl is desperate she has to do all she can to get her story.

He was a delight to talk to not at all arrogant or unfriendly – if anything a little fazed by the screaming young fans begging him for autographs, and looking a little tired, but he was pleased to sign – and pictures he happily posed for.

I wouldn’t say that I was his biggest fan but last Sunday my heart did flutter a little thanks to Mr Keating and I just managed to hold on to my professionalism without going gaga.

For anyone who has not had the pleasure of seeing him up close he is quite petite with tiny feet, a small frame, clear skin and beautiful blue eyes.

Speaking before he wowed the crowd and sent thousands of teenage girls into a frenzy, Ronan said: “It’s freezing but thank God I’m here.

“I’ve only been in the town for about 20 minutes but from what I’ve seen it is beautiful.

“It means a lot for me to be here, Scotland fans always welcomed Boyzone and I hope they give me the same treatment.

“I would like to stay longer and catch the Corrs but I have to rush off and catch a plane home.”

Another bunch of down-to-earth people were Toploader. I managed to speak to them just after they performed Dancing In The Moonlight.

Talk about scruffy! Sorry is that another word for rock’n’roll! I was so surprised at the way they were dressed.

Star of the day for me was Sara Cox, not only was she genuine but she was unpretentious and even spoke to my sister on the phone.

She had rung me while I was talking to Sara and instead of looking bemused, the DJ had a chat to her about what a great day she was missing.

Disappointment of the day for me was The Corrs. Not their performance, as it was outstanding. But the whole ‘royal visit style’ routine that was going on behind the scenes.

They were not giving interviews, but they would not even stop and sign autographs for their fans which I thought was a real shame. Some of the young girls had waited all day for sighting of the four piece.

When they arrived I felt like the paparazzi shouting questions at them while they were fighting off the crowds to get into the safe haven of a police van before jetting back off to Dublin.

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