Height: 6' 1" (1.85 m)
Age: 38 years old
Gender: Male
Nationality: Irish
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Keith Duffy
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Keith Duffy is a member of Boyzone and they are one of the
most successful bands in Ireland and the United Kingdom
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About
Boyzone was Europe’s most successful boy band during the second half of the 1990s. Comprised of
five Irish vocalists and funded by music manager Louis Walsh, the group embraced a similar style of
pop music as Take That, whose breakup in 1996 created a void that Boyzone happily filled. By
combining boyish charm with slick songwriting (much of which was co-written by the bandmates
themselves), the singers found enormous success throughout the U.K., where 16 of their first 17
singles became Top Five hits. Six of those songs made it to number one, establishing Boyzone as the
first Irish group to top the British charts so regularly, and bandmate Stephen Gately garnered
additional headlines in 1999 by announcing his homosexuality, making Boyzone one of the only boy
bands to include an openly gay member. The group didn’t fare nearly as well in America, where acts
like *NSYNC and the Backstreet Boys reigned supreme, but Boyzone’s success in Europe was nearly
unparalleled during the group’s heyday.
Boyzone was founded in 1993 by Louis Walsh, an aspiring music mogul who — like Maurice Starr and
Lou Pearlman — formed, funded, and managed the group from day one. Over 300 vocalists
auditioned for Walsh’s project, including future actor Colin Farrell, but the competition was ultimately
narrowed down to five males: Mikey Graham, Stephen Gately, Shane Lynch, Keith Duffy, and lead
vocalist Ronan Keating. The quintet initially honed its sound by performing covers of ’70s pop tunes,
including Detroit Spinners’ “Working My Way Back to You,” which became a number three hit on the
Irish charts, and the Osmonds’ “Love Me for a Reason,” Boyzone’s first single to chart in the U.K.
When it came time to write original material, however, the group hired Ray Hedges of Take That to
lend his song writing assistance.
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The Singles: UK chart release date and peak
Love me for a
reason
Key to my life
So Good
Father and
Son
10/12/1994
No.2
29/04/1995
No. 3
12/08/1995
No. 3
25/11/1995
No. 2
Coming home
now
Words
A different
beat
Isn’t it a
wonder
09/03/1996
No.4
19/10/1996
No. 1
16/12/1996
No. 1
22/03/1997
No. 2
All that I need
No matter
what
02/05/1998
No. 1
15/08/1998
No. 1
Picture of You
02/08/1997
No. 2
Baby can I
hold
you/Shooting
star
06/12/1998
No.2
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The Singles: UK chart release date and peak
I love the way
you love me
When the going
gets tough
You needed
me
Every day I
love you
05/12/1998
No. 2
13/03/1999
No. 1
22/05/1999
No. 1
04/12/1999
No. 3
Love you
anyway
Better
Gave it all
away
Love is a
hurricane
11/10/2008
No. 5
06/12/2008
No. 22
13/03/2010
No. 9
03/04/2010
No. 44
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The Albums: UK chart release date and peak
Said and
Done
A Different
Beat
Where We
Belong
02/09/1995
No. 1
09/11/1996
No. 1
06/06/1998
No. 1
Ballads – The
love song
collection
Back Again –
No Matter
What
B Sides and
Rarities
24/05/2003
No. 6
25/10/2008
No. 4
25/10/2010
No. 34
By Request
12/06/1999
No. 1
Brother
20/03/2010
No. 1
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About Keith Duffy - The ACTOR
Keith has presented a number of television shows, including the VH1 Fashion Awards in New York
and TV3’s The Box as well as multiple appearances on shows like You’re A Star and The X Factor.
In 2001, he took part in and finished in the final three of Comic Relief’s Celebrity Big Brother on
Channel 4. He has also appeared on shows like The Justin Lee Collins Show, The Graham Norton
Show, Ant and Dec’s Saturday Takeaway, Podge and Rodge, Tubridy Tonight, The Late Late Show,
Never Mind The Buzzcocks and he recently won All Star Mr and Mrs with his wife Lisa in aid of
Irish Autism Action of which he is a patron. As an actor Keith is still perhaps best known for his
role as Ciaran McCarthy in Coronation Street, but since he left the show in 2004 he has appeared
as series regular Paul in three seasons of RTE’s prime-time drama, The Clinic, in the BBC comedy
Be More Ethnic and as recurring character Ringo in RTE”s Fair City.
Keith made his Irish theatre debut in Fiona Looney’s play Dandelions opposite Pauline McLynn and
Deirdre O’Kane in two sell-out runs at the Olympia Theatre and on tour. He most recently
appeared on stage in Druid Theatre Company’s nationwide tour of John B Keane’s Big Maggie
directed by Garry Hynes which attracted rave reviews and record audiences across Ireland. He
also recently appeared as guest lead in Death in Paradise on BBC One.
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About Keith Duffy - The ACTOR
Fully Booked
The Bombmaker
TV Presenter
Sky TV Serial Drama
Series 6
Played DS Power
2000
2001
Lorraine
Lorraine
Coronation Street
Showbiz TV presenter
ITV Serial Drama
2001
Played Cieran McCarthy
2002-2005 and 2010-2011
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About Keith on Coronation Street
Ciaran McCarthy is a fictional character from the
UK television ITV soap opera, Coronation Street
portrayed by Keith Duffy.
He made his first on-screen appearance on 7
August 2002, before departing in 2005.
He returned in 2010 until Duffy temporary
departed in January 2011 to go on Boyzone Tour,
and returned on 3 November 2011. Duffy will
depart the part on 25 November 2011 due to
family commitments although he has said Ciaran
will return one day.
In his duration on the show the character has been
at the centre of several romances including
relationships with Sunita Alahan, Tracy Barlow and
Michelle Connor. Ciaran has been characterised as
a ladies man who is a charmer. The character has
been known for his “sex symbol” status and has
received nominations in the “Sexiest Male”
category at various TV award ceremonies.
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About Keith Duffy - The ACTOR
Mythes Urbains
Mythes Urbains
Horror/Mystry Serial Drama
Played Charlie Mason
1 episode: Ruf Mich An
2004
Be more ethnic
The Clinic
Irish Medical Drama
Played Paul Dunne
6 episodes recurring
2004, 2005, 2007
Be More Ethnic
Comedy
Played Dave
2007
Fair City
Death In Paradise
Dandelions
Horror TV Serial
Crime comedy serial drama
Olympia Theatre
Played Ringo Leyden
Played Eddie
Horror/Mystry Serial Drama
3 episodes recurring
2011
2005
2009
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About Keith Duffy - The ACTOR
The Magicians
Family entertainment TV Show
Played Himself
BBC TV Series, Series 2 episode 2
2012
Big Maggie
Druid Productions /Nationwide Tour
Comedy
2012
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Keith Duffy has been proactive and pioneered the way for
raising money for Autism in Ireland and the UK
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About Keith Duffy – The Charity Patron
Keith first became involved in working with autism charities, when at 18 months, his daughter,
Mia was diagnosed with the disorder. Keith and his wife, Lisa noticed something wrong in their
daughter early on when she wouldn't respond to them. Initially, they thought Mia was deaf but
tests proved that her hearing was fine. However, they knew something wasn't right as she didn't
like going outside of the house and when she did she would hold a blanket over her head,
seemingly afraid of the noise. Mia had also developed obsessive compulsion for structure and
symmetry, for example, arranging their CD collection in a straight line across the kitchen floor. And
most heartbreakingly of all, she wouldn't return her parents' or brother's affection. Speaking to a
friend at an autism charity event he'd been asked to attend, it became more apparent to Keith
that, that was what Mia had. That day he describes as the worst day of his life. Looking for an
official diagnosis, they discovered it could take up to two years to get one. Seeking help privately,
a specialist confirmed that Mia was autistic but after that, the couple felt alone and helpless, not
sure where to go next. Pure frustration at the lack of help for autistic children lead him into
charity work, eventually becoming the patron of Irish Autism Action (IAA). Discovering there was
only one appropriate school for Mia in Ireland - with only twelve places, all of them full and a
waiting list as long - Keith and other parents set about fundraising to change that. They raised
enough money to employ more teachers and allow more children - including Mia - into the
school. The school - ABACAS in Kilbarrack, Dublin - uses a method of one-to-one teaching called
Applied Behavioural Analysis, (ABA) and with that teaching, Mia came on leaps and bounds,
eventually going to mainstream school in 2007. Over the years of working with the IAA, Keith
has raised over 9 million Euros, they have since set up a diagnostic centre (The Solas Centre) and
they have 13 schools around Ireland educating 400 children. A 24 hour helpline has also been set
up to aid other families dealing with issues surrounding Autism. In 2008 Keith won a people of
the year award for his work with the charity. He continually sets himself challenges to raise more
money & awareness; including marathons, a trek in Peru & the ironman. Keith has also taken his
fight to the UK, teaming up with The National Autistic society, 'Talk about Autism' and 'Ambitious
about Autism.’ The latest Charity he has teamed up with is Hearts & Minds Challenge. Keith
continues to be passionate about the cause, believing all children deserve the best start in life and
the key to that is early intervention and appropriate education. Raising awareness is paramount
until the right people sit up and listen and each child's (and their families') needs are met.
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Raising funds through events
The 6th Annual Masquerade Ball in
aid of Irish Autism Action took place
on Saturday 1st December 2012 at
the Ritz-Carlton, Powerscourt, Co
Wicklow.
Paul Scholes, Keith Duffy and Melanie
Sykes raised money with a
spectacular star studded Mad Men
Ball which will which was held in
November 2012 in Manchester
Deansgate Hilton Hotel.
Raising funds through sports
The Steven Gerrard & Keith Duffy
charity weekend in July in aid of the
Steven Gerrard foundation and Irish
Autism Action held at the Ritz Carlton
in Wicklow, Ireland.
Keith Duffy took part in IRONMAN
70.3 Ireland for a second year, having
taken part in the inaugural event last
September. This year’s event takes
was in Galway on Sunday 2nd
September 2012, and Keith was
racing as part of ‘TEAM DUFFY’ to
raise funds for Irish Autism Action.
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Coronation Street star Keith Duffy has
finished a 600km cycle ride in aid of
Autism Ireland.The actor, who plays
Ciaran McCarthy in the Weatherfield
drama, is taking part in a number of
challenges to raise funds for the
charity.
Manchester United legends Denis
Irwin,
Brian
McClair,
Clayton
Blackmore and David May joined
singer and actor Keith Duffy on the
highways and byways of West Cork in
June as they tackle a gruelling eightday cycle tour.
Fund raising awards
Keith Duffy was awarded People of
the Year Award 2008 for his
campaigning work for children with
autism.
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Sample Press Clippings
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Sample Press Clippings
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Other Press Details
Keith Duffy campaigns to open school for autistic pupils
http://www.itv.com/news/granada/2012-10-09/keith-duffy-campaigns-for-autism-school/
Former Coronation Street actor Keith Duffy has helped launch a £1m campaign to open a school in
Manchester for youngsters with autism.
Thrifty 'Big Maggie' worked the magic for Druid
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/thrifty-big-maggie-worked-the-magic-for-druid3339471.html
Directed by Garry Hynes and with Keith Duffy playing the role of the rakish lothario, 'Big Maggie'
was one of the highlights of the Druid year, selling out throughout its run.
Thumbs up for autism ball
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/thumbs-up-for-autism-ball-1316141.html
"Anything I can do to help these kids, I will," Keith said.
Autism action rally: 'Better education for our children’
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/autism-action-rally-better-education-for-our-children679523.html
Irish Autism Action (IAA) organised the protest to demand more state-funded schools specialising
in Applied Behavioural Analysis (ABA) education - an intensive teaching method found to improve
the lives of autistic children.
Morah Ryan supports Keith Duffy on his big night Read more:
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/morah-ryansupports-keith-duffy-on-his-big-night-3312466.html#ixzz2I5QTfi2D
GERRY RYAN'S widow Morah Ryan was one of a number of well-known faces who stepped out to
support Keith Duffy's sixth Masquerade Ball.
What goes around . . . Niall Horan repays €50 tip to host €50,000 golf fundraiser with Keith Duffy
http://www.independent.ie/lifestyle/independent-woman/celebrity-news-gossip/what-goesaround-niall-horan-repays-50-tip-to-host-50000-golf-fundraiser-3228836.html#ixzz2I5RbBjCh
FIVE years ago, Niall Horan caddied for popstar Keith Duffy and got a €50 tip for his trouble.
Keith unveils team of Iron
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/keith-unveils-team-of-iron-3159247.html
BOYZONE star Keith Duffy yesterday announced his celebrity team for the Ironman 70.3 Ireland
race.Former Miss World Rosanna Davison and magician Keith Barry are among 'Team Keith Duffy'
who will run the race taking place in Galway in September for Irish Autism