Daniel O'Donnell and his wife Majella are one of Ireland's favourite couples.

They really are picture perfect together but their love story wasn't always smooth sailing.

When Majella met Daniel, he was a top-selling country music star travelling the world, she never expected him to look at her.

Daniel O'Donnell and wife Majella O'Donnell

Speaking to The Sunday Independent's Living Magazine, the singer admitted he didn't even expect to fall for her.

He said: "She wasn't the type of person I would have expected either."

The couple met at Majella's parents bar and restaurant in Tenerife in September 1999 shortly after Majella split from her first husband and her children, aged five and three at the time, went to boarding school.

She headed over to Tenerife to take a year or two to herself - the last thing she expected was to meet Daniel.

The night he strolled in, Majella's parents asked her to sign to provide a bit of an atmosphere.

While most people would be terrified to sing in front of a huge star like Daniel, it was no worry to the then 40 year old.

Daniel O'Donnell and wife Majella O'Donnell

It was her singing that won over Daniel and he struck up a conversation with her before inviting her to join himself and two friends the following night.

Soon after they began dating despite being "kind of opposites," according to Daniel.

Unfortunately, Ireland was a different place at the time and doubts Daniel was harbouring overcame him as he was dating a divorcee.

He ended the relationship after six months and explained that "it was a religious thing," referencing divorce being frowned upon in Catholicism.

Daniel O'Donnell and wife Majella O'Donnell

Majella chimed in and said that she wasn't surprised by their break-up but she was heartbroken.

She continued: "I love the person I know now for 17 years from the bottom of my heart, but I can't deny that after six months together, I wasn't thinking 'I have two children, my marriage is over, and this lovely man, who has no luggage and is wealthy, is interested in me.

"I was disappointed, of course, because he would have been a fantastic catch, but that wasn't the reason I fell for him.

"Daniel has a great sense of humour and he's very funny, considerate and thoughtful.

"I'd had a really explosive marriage during which my husband had several affairs, and I felt I could breathe and relax and be myself around Daniel."

After their split, Daniel and Majella remained good friends but as time passed, Daniel doubted his decision.

It was during the West End show Mamma Mia! that he went to see on his own he thought "Majella would have loved [this.]"

He continued: "[I] began to wonder why I was going with what I was feeling.

"I felt that if it's the same God that we're led to believe in, he wouldn't want me not to be happy.

"So I decided that whatever was to be, will be, and Majella and I began again."

Daniel O'Donnell and wife Majella O'Donnell

They got back together not long after in September 2000 and kept the relationship out of the spotlight until December 2001, over a year later - a great feat for any celebrity.

It was then Daniel decided to introduce the love of his life to 500 people consisting of his friends and family at a charity ball for his 40th birthday party in Birmingham.

Majella thought she was going to be sitting with friends when Daniel came in to the bedroom beforehand and said he was going to introduce her.

The mother of two recalled the moment and said: "I was thinking 'Oh Jesus Christ,.'

"I was wearing this lovely blue velvet dress with long sleeves, but it came down in the front and there was plenty of the old cleavage there.

"I'd never have worn it if I'd realised that this was the night he'd introduce me."

Daniel O'Donnell and wife Majella O'Donnell

Naturally, the announcement generated headlines such as, 'Daniel to marry divorcee' but the coverage was fine in general.

Daniel and Majella married in November 2002 and live together in Donegal - but they haven't forgotten where they met and have a second home in Tenerife.

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