Sinead O’Connor – latest: Father of woman who died from cancer remembers singer’s ‘remarkable’ act of kindness

Tributes to Irish singer Sinead O’Connor are continuing to pour in, in the wake of the Irish singer’s death aged 56.

Thousands of fans, fellow musicians and public figures have shared their love for O’Connor since her family confirmed the Dublin-born musician had died.

And in a letter to The Telegraph, one particularly moving account of her generosity has been resurfaced.

In 1991, a year after her cover of Prince’s “Nothing Compares 2 U” propelled her to worldwide fame, O’Connor called a young woman with terminal cancer, Louise Woolcock, out of the blue.

“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” her father, Philip, recalled to the publication. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”

Mr Woolcock recalled how O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life”, taking her out to dinners, for drinks and dancing.

“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Mr Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing and singing.”

Key points

• Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus about being ‘pimped’ by music industry resurfaces

• Sinead O’Connor’s death not being treated as suspicious, police say

• Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about death of son days before she died

• How to watch Sinead O’Connor documentary ‘Nothing Compares’

• Sinead O’Connor’s brutal snub of Piers Morgan resurfaces after TV presenter honours ‘wondrously gifted singer’

No medical cause given for Sinead O’Connor’s death

05:00 , Annabel Nugent

No medical cause was given in the death of Sinead O’Connor and an autopsy will be carried out, London Inner South Coroner’s Court said on Thursday (27 July).

The result of the autopsy may not be available for several weeks, according to a statement on the court website.

Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history

04:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor was known to voice her strong opinions without apology, which occasionally led to clashes with other celebrities including Miley Cyrus, Joe Pesci, Prince, and Madonna.

In an interview with Spin magazine in 1991, O’Connor directly referenced Madonna and called her out for allegedly making unkind comments about her appearance while being a promoter of women’s rights.

“Madonna is probably the hugest role model for women in America,” O’Connor noted. “There’s a woman who people look up to as being a woman who campaigns for women’s rights. A woman who, in an abusive way toward me, said that I look like I had a run-in with a lawnmower and that I was about as sexy as a Venetian blind.

“Now there’s the woman that America looks up to as being a campaigner for women, slagging off another woman for not being sexy.”

Inside Sinead O’Connor and Madonna’s fraught history

Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces

03:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor’s brutal rejection of Piers Morgan’s invitation to feature as a guest on ITV’s Good Morning Britain has resurfaced following her death aged 56.

Accompanying the post, the 58-year-old broadcaster included a photo of the two standing together in the ITV studio.

“Knew her for 35 years & we had some ferocious spats but also some great Guinness-fuelled make-ups. She was a unique character. Sad day,” the broadcaster, 58, tweeted.

To the delight of many O’Connor fans, however, one such spat has resurfaced across social media.

Sinead O’Connor’s withering Piers Morgan snub resurfaces as presenter pays tribute

Sinead O’Connor’s prescience ‘was unbelievable’, broadcaster Dave Fanning says

02:00 , Annabel Nugent

ITV, BBC, and Channel 5 are not planning to air tributes to late singer

01:00 , Annabel Nugent

In the case of some high-profile celebrity deaths, broadcasters will scrap their schedules to assemble tributes to the star in question.

This was the case for David Bowie when the “Space Oddity” singer died in 2016. Likewise, when George Michael died from heart failure on Christmas Day in 2017, BBC Four dedicated a full night of programming to the Wham! star.

As confirmed by Variety, however, none of UK’s main broadcasters plan on airing remembrances of O’Connor anytime soon.

Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died

Monday 31 July 2023 00:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor died 18 months after her son Shane, who was 17 when he died last year by suicide.

On 17 July, O’Connor shared a post on Twitter paying tribute to Shane, and expressing her ongoing grief over his loss.

She wrote: “#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022. Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him [sic].”

Bardo, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth.

O’Connor shared her son Shane with Irish folk musician and producer Donal Lunny. Shane died in January 2022, after escaping a hospital where he was on suicide watch.

Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died

I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 23:00 , Annabel Nugent

“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden for The Independent.

Opinion: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey on Sinéad O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor gave a young woman with terminal cancer ‘the best week of her short life’

Sunday 30 July 2023 22:00 , Annabel Nugent

In the days since Sinead O’Connor’s death, stories of her kindness have surfaced.

One such story comes from Philip Woolcock who recalled how O’Connor had called his 20-year-old daughter, Louise, out of the blue after learning that she had terminal cancer in 1991.

“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” Woolcock said. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”

O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life”, taking her out to dinners, for drinks and dancing.

“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing and singing.”

How to watch late singer’s film Nothing Compares in the UK

Sunday 30 July 2023 21:00 , Annabel Nugent

In October, the documentary Nothing Compares was released in cinemas. The title is derived from O’Connor’s 1990 cover of the Prince-written ballad, “Nothing Compares 2 U”, which was an international hit and topped the charts in several countries, including Ireland, the UK and the US.

The film uses interviews with O’Connor, personal videos and archival footage of her concert performances to document her journey from her childhood in Dublin to becoming a globally renowned artist and activist.

Nothing Compares is available on Sky’s on-demand service and NOW. US viewers can watch the documentary on Paramount+, Hulu and Amazon Prime Video with a Showtime add-on subscription.

How to watch Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares’ documentary this weekend

Morrissey lashes out at tributes to Sinead O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 20:00 , Annabel Nugent

As tributes poured in for Sinead O’Connor, Morrisey took issue with some stars and members of the press praising the late singer.

Morrissey, 64, wrote a post on his website criticising the reaction to O’Connor’s death and claiming that she did not receive enough support when she was alive.

“You praise her now ONLY because it is too late. You hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,” wrote the former Smiths singer.

Read the full note here...

Morrissey lashes out at ‘cruel’ stars and press paying tribute to Sinead O’Connor

Dublin projects ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ lyrics on Samuel Beckett Bridge

Sunday 30 July 2023 19:00 , Annabel Nugent

In the wake of Sinead O’Connor’s death, Dublin paid tribute to the late singer by projecting the lyrics to her cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U” on the Samuel Beckett Bridge.

Sinead O’Connor fans gather to sing ‘Nothing Compares 2 U 'in Dublin tribute

Sunday 30 July 2023 18:00 , Annabel Nugent

Around 100 people joined together to sing Nothing Compares 2 U at the Dublin event on Sunday afternoon.

The lunchtime singalong in Barnardo Square, central Dublin, was organised by socialist feminist group Rosa.

Rosa activist and former Irish parliamentarian Ruth Coppinger paid tribute to the late singer.

“An exceptional and unique voice that could be both a whisper or a scream in one line, she captivated audiences,” Ms Coppinger told the event. “She could traverse all genres. A body of work spanning four decades.

“Sinead’s artistry and activism cannot be separated – they were essential to each other. Her artistic integrity and sense of justice came from her own experience of injustice.

Sinead O’Connor fans gather to sing Nothing Compares 2 U in Dublin tribute

Why Prince’s estate refused to allow ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ to be used in the documentary

Sunday 30 July 2023 17:30 , Annabel Nugent

Last year, it emerged that Prince’s estate denied permission to use O’Connor’s version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” in Kathryn Ferguson’s critically acclaimed documentary about the singer, titled Nothing Compares.

Near the conclusion of the film, which is now available to watch on Sky and NOW, a message on screen reads: “The Prince estate denied use of Sinead’s recording of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ in this film.”

“Nothing compares to Prince’s live version with Rosie Gaines that is featured on the Hits 1 album,” Prince’s sister Sharon Nelson told Billboard in a statement in 2022, referring to a version of the song that debuted in 1993.

“I didn’t feel [Sinéad] deserved to use the song my brother wrote in her documentary so we declined. His version is the best.”

What did Prince think of Sinead O’Connor’s cover of ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’?

Sunday 30 July 2023 17:00 , Annabel Nugent

Prince and Sinead O’Connor famously did not have a good relationship. The Irish singer made a number of allegations against the “Purple Rain” musician – read more about that here.

Regarding O’Connor’s cover of his song “Nothing Compares 2 U”, however, Prince praised the song in 1990 – despite famously not being a fan of people covering his work.

The story of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

Sunday 30 July 2023 16:30 , Annabel Nugent

While many are paying homage to O’Connor’s expansive musical and political legacy, others are remembering the singer for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

Read more:

Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

Read Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus

Sunday 30 July 2023 16:00 , Annabel Nugent

After the release of her viral music video for her hit single “Wrecking Ball”, Cyrus (then 20 years old) told Rolling Stone magazine that she’d been inspired by the O’Connor’s accompanying visuals for “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990).

In response, O’Connor wrote to Cyrus “in the spirit of motherliness and with love” and told her that it was not “cool” to be “naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos”.

What did Sinead O’Connor say about her pope stunt?

Sunday 30 July 2023 15:30 , Annabel Nugent

During a 1992 appearance on SNL, O’Connor controversially ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II in a protest against the sexual abuse of children by the Catholic Church.

The move led to a huge and lengthy backlash – something O’Connor herself reflected on in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings.

“A lot of people say or think that tearing up the Pope’s photo derailed my career,” she wrote. “That’s not how I feel about it I feel that having a No 1 record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.”

Sinead O’Connor covers Nirvana’s ‘All Apologies'

Sunday 30 July 2023 15:00 , Annabel Nugent

While it is her cover of Prince’s 1985 song “Nothing Compares 2 U” that is the most famous, Sinead O’Connor’s rendition of Nirvana’s grunge anthem “All Apologies” was also hugely popular.

Released just months after Cobain’s death, the song featuers O’Connor’s stunning, hushed vocals.

Kate Bush remembers the ‘magical presence’ of Sinead O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 14:30 , Annabel Nugent

Today is Kate Bush’s 65th birthday.

The “Running Up That Hill” singer wrote a lovely tribute to Sinead O’Connor earlier this week in the wake of her death.

“A beacon on a high mountain. Sinead dind’t just move us with her incredibly emotive voice, she stood up with it,” wrote Bush on her website.

“I salute her. We were lucky to have such a magical presence move among us.”

‘All these tourists were passing by and had no clue who she was'

Sunday 30 July 2023 14:00 , Annabel Nugent

In her life, O’Connor lived for a while in a cottage in Dalkey, a coastal Dublin suburb where she was able to find some anonymity.

As reported by The Guardian, director Neil Jordan told public broadcaster RTÉ: “I was walking down there and she was sitting outside on the bench, just smoking cigarettes and all these tourists were passing by and had no clue who she was.”

Sinead O’Connor gave a young woman with terminal cancer ‘O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter ‘the best week of her short life'

Sunday 30 July 2023 13:30 , Annabel Nugent

In the days since Sinead O’Connor’s death, stories of her kindness have surfaced.

One such story comes from Philip Woolcock who recalled how O’Connor had called his daughter, Louise, out of the blue after learning that she had terminal cancer in 1991.

“Sinéad had heard of Louise’s illness from some source, probably the press, as we were raising funds for our local hospice,” Woolcock told The Irish Mirror. “My daughter was a great admirer of her and loved her music.”

O’Connor invited Louise to London and proceeded to give his daughter “the best week of her short life”, taking her out to dinners, for drinks and dancing.

“During all this time, Sinéad never sought any publicity for these acts of love and compassion,” Woolcock said. “Today my thoughts are with two remarkable women who, I have no doubt, will be somewhere still laughing, dancing and singing.”

Fans praise ‘Nothing Compares'

Sunday 30 July 2023 13:00 , Annabel Nugent

The award-winning documentary by Kathryn Ferguson has been applauded by fans for its “brilliant” insight into Sinead O’Connor.

While Nothing Compares was originally released in 2022, the film has only recently become available on Sky and NOW over the weekend. The timing of the release is coincidental given that it had been scheduled for months.

I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 12:30 , Annabel Nugent

“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden for The Independent.

Opinion: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey on Sinéad O’Connor

Sinead O’Connor documentary: How to watch late singer’s film ‘Nothing Compares' in the UK

Sunday 30 July 2023 12:00 , Annabel Nugent

The film was made available to stream on Sky and NOW over the weekend.

Here’s how you can watch Kathryn Ferguson’s critically acclaimed film about the life and career of Sinead O’Connor...

How to watch Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares’ documentary this weekend

Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died

Sunday 30 July 2023 11:30 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor died 18 months after her son Shane, who was 17 when he died last year by suicide.

On 17 July, O’Connor shared a post on Twitter paying tribute to Shane, and expressing her ongoing grief over his loss.

She wrote: “#lostmy17yrOldSonToSuicidein2022. Been living as undead night creature since. He was the love of my life, the lamp of my soul. We were one soul in two halves. He was the only person who ever loved me unconditionally. I am lost in the bardo without him [sic].”

Bardo, in Tibetan Buddhism, is a state of existence between death and rebirth.

O’Connor shared her son Shane with Irish folk musician and producer Donal Lunny. Shane died in January 2022, after escaping a hospital where he was on suicide watch.

Sinead O’Connor shared heartbreaking post about her son Shane days before she died

‘Trailblazer’ Sinead O’Connor led the way, Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill says

Sunday 30 July 2023 11:00 , Annabel Nugent

Joe Pesci said he ‘would have slapped’ Sinead O’Connor over pope stunt

Sunday 30 July 2023 10:30 , Annabel Nugent

The Goodfellas star has attracted criticism for past comments he made about Sinead O’Connor.

In 1992, Pesci appeared on Saturday Night Live and said he would have “slapped” the singer over the pope stunt she had performed on the show one week earlier.

O’Connor had performed a cover version of Bob Marley song “War” on an episode hosted by Tim Robbins, following which she controversially ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II, and stated to the camera: “Fight the real enemy.”

The move, which was a protest against the sexual abuse of children by the Catholic Church, led to a huge and lengthy backlash – something O’Connor herself reflected on in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings.

Joe Pesci criticised for resurfaced ‘slap’ comment about Sinead O’Connor

No medical cause given for Sinead O’Connor’s death

Sunday 30 July 2023 09:30 , Annabel Nugent

No medical cause was given in the death of Sinead O’Connor and an autopsy will be carried out, London Inner South Coroner’s Court said on Thursday (27 July).

The result of the autopsy may not be available for several weeks, according to a statement on the court website.

Voices: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey, but he’s right on Sinéad O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 09:00 , Chas Newkey-Burden

“I don’t often agree with Morrissey, but I thought he put it well when he raged that ‘the cruel play-pen of fame gushes with praise’ for Sinéad O’Connor now she has died, but ‘hadn’t the guts to support her when she was alive and she was looking for you,’” writes Chas Newkey-Burden.

Opinion: I can’t believe I agree with Morrissey on Sinéad O’Connor

Sinn Fein vice president Michelle O’Neill calls Sinead O’Connor a ‘trailblazer’ who ‘led the way,’

Sunday 30 July 2023 08:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate pays tribute to the late singer

Sunday 30 July 2023 16:59 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate fondly recalled their time living together in the Nineties.

Nitin Sawhney paid tribute to the singer after her death.

“Back in the 90s she came over to my tiny room in a shared flat in Tooting and we jammed together for ages,” Sawhney wrote on Twitter, adding that O’Connor was “so kind” to her flatmates.

“She was so kind to my flat mates including @Mykolachi Hello who she sweetly complimented on her red coat… She stayed in touch for a while afterwards and was always so supportive. I will miss her humility, her incredible voice and her honest, compassionate soul.”

What did Sinead O’Connor say about her pope stunt?

Sunday 30 July 2023 07:00 , Annabel Nugent

During a 1992 appearance on SNL, O’Connor controversially ripped up a photo of Pope John Paul II in a protest against the sexual abuse of children by the Catholic Church.

The move led to a huge and lengthy backlash – something O’Connor herself reflected on in her 2021 memoir, Rememberings.

“A lot of people say or think that tearing up the Pope’s photo derailed my career,” she wrote. “That’s not how I feel about it I feel that having a No 1 record derailed my career and my tearing the photo put me back on the right track.”

Joe Pesci is being called out for historic comments he made about Sinead O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 06:00 , Annabel Nugent

The Goodfellas actor said he “would have slapped” Sinead O’Connor for tearing up a photograph of the Pope in 1992.

Joe Pesci criticised for resurfaced ‘slap’ comment about Sinead O’Connor

Read Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus

Sunday 30 July 2023 05:00 , Annabel Nugent

After the release of her viral music video for her hit single “Wrecking Ball”, Cyrus (then 20 years old) told Rolling Stone magazine that she’d been inspired by the O’Connor’s accompanying visuals for “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990).

In response, O’Connor wrote to Cyrus “in the spirit of motherliness and with love” and told her that it was not “cool” to be “naked and licking sledgehammers in your videos”.

Sinead O’Connor’s open letter to Miley Cyrus about being ‘pimped’ resurfaces

Pink and Brandi Carlile perform beautiful tribute to Sinead O’Connor

Sunday 30 July 2023 04:00 , Annabel Nugent

Pink and Brandi Carlile performed a beautiful tribute to the Irish singer during their Wednesday (26 July) night concert in Cincinnati, Ohio after news of her death broke.

The two singers belted a powerful rendition of O’Connor’s famous “Nothing Compares 2 U” track.

A world in mourning

Sunday 30 July 2023 03:00 , Annabel Nugent

Several impromptu and scheduled gatherings popped up around different areas of the country to honour Sinead O’Connor following news of her death.

Here’s a scene from one outside of Temple Bar on Thursday (27 July)

‘All these tourists were passing by and had no clue who she was'

Sunday 30 July 2023 16:38 , Annabel Nugent

In her life, O’Connor lived for a while in a cottage in Dalkey, a coastal Dublin suburb where she was able to find some anonymity.

As reported by The Guardian, director Neil Jordan told public broadcaster RTÉ: “I was walking down there and she was sitting outside on the bench, just smoking cigarettes and all these tourists were passing by and had no clue who she was.”

The story of Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

Sunday 30 July 2023 02:00 , Annabel Nugent

While many are paying homage to O’Connor’s expansive musical and political legacy, others are remembering the singer for her 1990 cover of “Nothing Compares 2 U”.

Read more:

Sinead O’Connor’s ‘Nothing Compares 2 U’ – and her eventful encounter with Prince

WATCH: Sinead O’Connor’s stand-out moments

Sunday 30 July 2023 01:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor’s lifelong dedication to women’s rights

Sunday 30 July 2023 00:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor is being remembered for her lifelong advocacy of women’s rights following her death at the age of 56.

Sinead O’Connor’s lifelong dedication to women’s rights

Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate pays tribute to the late singer

Saturday 29 July 2023 23:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor’s former flatmate fondly recalled their time living together in the Nineties.

Nitin Sawhney paid tribute to the singer after her death.

“Back in the 90s she came over to my tiny room in a shared flat in Tooting and we jammed together for ages,” Sawhney wrote on Twitter.

“She was so kind to my flat mates including @MykolachiHello who she sweetly complimented on her red coat… She stayed in touch for a while afterwards and was always so supportive. I will miss her humility, her incredible voice and her honest, compassionate soul.”

Sinead O’Connor posted a video just days before her death

Saturday 29 July 2023 22:00 , Annabel Nugent

This heartbreaking video is believed to be Sinead O’Connor’s last in which the singer posted an emotional clip about the devasting impact her son’s suicide had on her.

O’Connor was vocal about her struggles with addiction and trauma

Saturday 29 July 2023 21:00 , Annabel Nugent

The Irish singer cancelled her 2021 tour in order to undergo a year of rehabilitation for both.

O’Connor, who had frequently spoken about her mental health issues over the years, said that the stress of 2020, as well as the death of a loved one, led to her being “briefly addicted to a drug other than weed”.

At the time, she had tweeted: “Message for folks who have tickets for next year’s shows: those shows are being postponed until 2022 so that I may go into a one year trauma and addiction treatment program because I had a very traumatic six years and this year was the end of it but now recovery starts.

“I grew up with a lot of trauma and abuse. I then went straight into the music business. And never learned really how to make a normal life. Never took proper time to heal. Wasn’t ready to either.

“Music business is a very unforgiving place for artists who need to postpone due to emotional or mental health issues,” she added.

Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album and reviewing tour dates before her death, say her managers

Saturday 29 July 2023 20:00 , Annabel Nugent

Sinead O’Connor had been “completing her new album”, reviewing tour dates for next year and was also considering “opportunities” around a movie of her book, her management company has said.

“Wonderful plans were afoot at this time,” they added of the Grammy-winning singer and songwriter who was found “unresponsive” by police at a residential address in south London on Wednesday (26 July).

Read more:

Sinead O’Connor was finishing new album before her death, say her managers

Read Helen Brown’s lovely obituary to Sinead O’Connor

Saturday 29 July 2023 19:00 , Annabel Nugent

“Hearing the awful news of Sinead O’Connor’s death (aged just 56) will transport many of us back to her culture-shocking appearance on Top of the Pops in 1990,” writes music critic Helen Brown.

“The voice was strangely soft, yet O’Connor reached deep into the awkward corners of every consonant like she was gouging at scabs. There was a scowl and a punch thrown as she ripped into the chorus.”

Sinead O’Connor, the Irish artist who put her pain, and the pain of others, into song

Fans applaud critically acclaimed documentary ‘Nothing Compares’

Saturday 29 July 2023 18:00 , Annabel Nugent

Many viewers have praised Kathryn Ferguson’s documentary since it arrived on Sky/Now on Saturday (29 July).

TV personality and journalist Amelia Dimoldenberg wrote on Twitter: “This is the most brilliant documentary on Sinéad O’Connor – a must watch.

“What a fearless woman, holding truth to power throughout her career. She never backed down from her beliefs, fighting for a more fair and honest world. She will be greatly missed.”

What is 'Nothing Compares’?

Saturday 29 July 2023 17:30 , Annabel Nugent

Kathryn Ferguson’s award-winning documentary about Sinead O’Connor, Nothing Compares, was released in 2022.

On Saturday (29 July), the documentary was made available to watch on Sky and NOW. While this was a pre-planned release, there is no doubt that the tragic timing of the documentary has attracted more viewers.

'The purest voice we will ever hear’

Saturday 29 July 2023 17:00 , Annabel Nugent

Speaking to The Guardian, producer David Holmes spoke about working with Sinead O’Connor’s final, unreleased album.

He recalls his time working with “the purest voice we will ever hear”.

In 2021, O’Connor announced that the album – No Veteran Dies Alone – was scheduled for release the following year. It was not released, perhaps delayed due to the death of her 17-year-old son Shane in January 2022.

Why are UK broadcasters not airing tributes to Sinead O’Connor?

Saturday 29 July 2023 16:30 , Annabel Nugent

Speaking about UK broadcaster’s decision not to air any tributes to Sinead O’Connor, former Channel 4 commissioner Steven D Wright told Variety: “The simple explanation is that she was underrated and not taken seriously.

“Only now are people saying, ‘Hang on, she was kind of an iconoclast for having spoken out against the Catholic Church when she did.’”

ITV, BBC and Channel 5 are not planning to air tributes

Saturday 29 July 2023 16:00 , Annabel Nugent

In the case of some high-profile celebrity deaths, including David Bowie and George Michael, broadcasters will scrap their schedules to assemble tributes to the star in question.

Variety, however, has confirmed that neither BBC, ITV, Channel 5, nor Channel 4 currently plan to air any specially packaged specials or tributes over the weekend.

ITV, BBC, and Channel 5 do not have plans to air tributes for Sinead O’Connor