None of you will know the relevance of that title (unless you are a Ronan fan of course. Didn’t think so) but it’s a track off the Destination album released back in 2002. The reason I’m mentioning it now is twofold; Ronan still performs this song – it was actually one of the 20 tracks on the setlist for this years tour… and, bearing that in mind, the second line of the song now resonates with me more than ever…. “And since we met, I haven’t once stopped smiling”…

 It’s Saturday 10th August and Rob and I are on our way to Audley End, and English Heritage property and one of England’s finest country houses (apparently). Why? Well not to look round the old house thats for sure! <snore> No, it’s part of their evening summer concert programme and a certain Mr Ronan Keating will be taking the stage that evening. #Boom!

It’s a fairly nice day weather wise, the sun is shining which is a good start. When we arrive the crew are already there, making a nuisance of themselves, talking to security guards about where we can and can’t film. The day starts with a few arrival shots, which means driving in and out, round and round, numerous times, but eventually we got the shot and move on to a walk through of the grounds before settling down and enjoying a picnic lovingly prepared by myself. I say lovingly prepared; M&S did all the hard work if I’m honest but still, it’s the thought that counts right? Right.

As we’re finishing off the picnic we have to do a couple of 1-2-1 interviews with the grounds and house as backdrop. In the distance, round the back of the house, I hear music start up and it’s clear the support acts have kicked off. 6pm. I start to get a bit antsy. Normally I wouldn’t be worried as Ronan concerts are generally seated affairs (insert joke about average age of fan. oh hahaha) so the fact this was a ‘free for all’, the support acts had started and I WASN’T IN POSITION was slightly stressful. The crew however seemed almost prepared for this eventuality and promptly sent 2 members off to reserve a place near to the front so we could carry on.

HOURS passed. Well, no. It was about 30 minutes; it just felt like FOREVER, but eventually we were done with interviews etc etc and could actually just go and enjoy the concert (much to Rob’s delight). We walked around to the concert area and I literally could have kissed the crew. Not only had they managed to muscle in RIGHT near the front but they had marked off an area with all the equipment so no-one dared try and squeeze passed or encroach on our space. Amazing. In fact, don’t tell them this but it’s the closest I’ve ever been at a Ronan concert. Ronan, not Boyzone. But still. Awesome!

We get settled. They do a few action shots of us just sitting there, chatting, enjoying the support acts. Then I find out that they have permission  to film the first song from the pit. One camera on Ronan (I dutifully inform the crew the first song would be ‘Fires’) and one on me/us in the crowd… which meant I needed to be as close as possible. This is the thing though, if it had just been me and I squeezed my way to the front pushing passed lots of disgruntled fans and tried to stand at the barrier i would have been met with a torrent of abuse and maybe even a black eye or split lip (well, thats what i’d do if someone pushed passed me to get closer than i was) but stick a film crew there, get THEM to ask and suddenly the crowd parts like I’m fucking Moses crossing the red sea and you even get HELPED by said fans to the front. THE VERY FRONT. Again; awesome. Could this day get any better?!

Now my position for later was sorted I sat back down to enjoy some of the music with Rob. We noticed the crew had disappeared but I wasn’t that bothered, I was happy counting down the minutes til Ronan started… 60 to go….

Then Rob (one of the crew members) appeared from nowhere and told us we needed to go with him as they had set something up backstage. I don’t know what I did but my immediate reaction obviously worried (crew) Rob as he instantly went “oh no, no, no, lower your expectations” – this was only the second time i had met Rob and he did it in such a serious way I took his word for it and just did what I was told.

 As we approached the side entrance to the backstage area this guy stepped out from behind the fence. He looked like a weird version of Bill Nighy from the Boat That Rock with the addition of a stylish (yet slightly too small for him) trilby. He introduced himself simply as ‘Paul’…  “What, tour manager Paul?” I blurt back before I can control myself. To say he looked rather taken aback is a understatement. But then he said yes, so I was the one that was rather taken aback. My mind started whirling. But no, come on Emily, Ronan is the headliner, therefore his manager must have to know what’s going on backstage regardless of why they were there. That’s gotta be it.

As we were walking through I was trying to peer into the various gazebo type constructions to see which one was Ronan’s – well i might as well try and grab a sneak peek; not like i’m going to get backstage everyday! We got all the way to the end and I didn’t see his. FFS. We go round a corner and the crew are all there… 2 cameras have been set up… Hmm… What’s going on? No one will look me in the eye, the normal chatty crew have nothing to say for themselves and Rob and I are kinda just standing there waiting to know wtf is going on? It can’t be, can it? This isn’t about to happen? I turn to Rob suddenly feeling very nervous and ask him if he thinks the next 5 minutes of my life are going to change everything at which point Jo (our lovely director) clears her throat prompting me to look round…. to be greeted by the site of Ronan Keating walking round the corner…. in our direction. Like, walking TOWARDS us. US. OMG!!!

Paul introduces him (oh really? That’s Ronan? Oh thanks. Didn’t know) and he shakes our hands. Er? handshake? I don’t think so mate. I ask for a hug. Yes, yes, I actually asked. I don’t care. I got a cuddle (note, not a ‘hug’). I only let go coz i thought I had to – and to be honest since my brief introduction to Paul he was clearly very wary of this know-it-all-psycho-fan.

It was the most surreal experience ever. There I was, or rather, ‘we’ were, talking to Ronan like it was the most natural thing in the world. Well….. maybe not that natural but i felt very composed considering the onslaught of emotions i was experiencing inside. It took every ounce of willpower to  restrain myself from blubbering inconsolably and throwing myself at him. I felt 13 again. I managed to string a few sentences together and even managed to ask him a few questions! I was going to ask how Jack, Missy and Ali all were but thought knowing the names of his kids and using them in such an over familiar way would be yet another indication that security should probably step in, so i resisted. They were all there though, the kids i mean; saw Jack on the way out. God he’s grown.

Anyway, I digress. Ronan had clearly only been prepped that the programme was about newlyweds – which if i’m honest made it even more surprising he’d agreed to the meet and greet in the first place, what with his track record when it comes to marriage – so he opened by congratulating us and asking when the wedding had taken place. Being that it was last September it felt like old news so we skirted over that and onto more important things like him, the venue, the tour, X Factor Australia, living in Sydney, the upcoming Boyzone tour, all of which were peppered with me generally making a tit out of myself. In fact i even seem to remember telling Ronan that he had been around first, years before Rob. Not awkward at all with Rob stood right there. It all happened so quickly and before i knew it we were saying our goodbyes. He signed a postcard for us (yes us, Rob & Emily <sigh>), I got another cuddle (get in) and my-new-best-mate-Paul escorted us out.

When we got back to our place I was high as a kite, dancing around all over the place, smiling from ear to ear rabbiting on about what had just happened making sure it wasn’t a dream. Those around us went from inquisitive, excitable fellow fans, fully in support of our filming to hating us in a split second. What d’you mean you got to meet him? Hahahahaha. Sorry. If i’m honest, it made me love it more. Ha!

The only thing I forgot to do was get a picture with him! D’oh! Crew Rob very kindly took some pictures for me at the time but I didn’t even think about it. I’m so glad he got some!

 So back round in our places the time has come. Cue lights, cue music, cue my mad dash for the front…. And there he was again, in his full glory. ‘Fires’ started up and throughout the song, knowing that he was being filmed for ‘our show’ there were even a few nods, points and smiles in my direction. Heaven! Cue a few more tutts and sighs from those around me, but fuck ‘em. I’ve put in nearly 19 years of effort to get here. What have YOU done? It was amazing.

I was only going to stay at the barrier for that first song, for Sky you understand (??)… but, i mean come on, it’s Ronan and it’s the front row. I looked back a Rob a couple of rows behind. He was fiiiiiiiine; i could defo stay there a bit longer. THIS IS THE BEST DAY EVER!!! – Yeah, yeah, second best. I get it. Is that it forever? Is the wedding day the ‘best day ever’ for the rest of my life? Has everything always got to come second to that? On this one occasion, i’m not so sure….