Courteney Cox and Musician Johnny McDaid
The Derry songwriter has revealed a friend who played the part of a musician on the show chose the character name “Sean Óg” which is Irish for young John.
McDaid, who divides his time between London and Los Angeles with his long term girlfriend Courteney Cox, revealed he has been a fan of Derry Girls from the outset.
He was asked if he was disappointed not to get a guest appearance on the Lisa McGee-written show.
“A friend of mine did a cameo in the show and he did a little trick for me. He called his character Sean Óg which is my name in Irish so I think I got a wink there. He was a musician,” the Snow Patrol star said.
McDaid also revealed he wouldn’t say “never” to a possible acting role in the future.
One of the most in-demand song-writers in the music industry, he has written a number of Ed Sheeran’s hits and co-wrote the Shape of You with the singer which became the focus of a copyright action earlier this year.
McDaid, who is from the Culmore Road area, said he has always enjoyed a close relationship with Sheeran, ever since first meeting the singer.
Both Sheeran and Cox have enjoyed trips to Derry, visiting shops and bars with the Snow Patrol musician.
Writer Lisa McGee with the cast of Derry Girls
He said: “He’s like a brother to me. We’ve lived together and I’ve spent more time with Ed than anybody and I mean anybody; and I’ve five siblings.”
In a wide-ranging interview carried in the Irish Independent, McDaid also told how he and Friends’ star, Cox managed to maintain their 11-year relationship despite being divided by the Atlantic during the Covid lockdown.
Both used the time to develop creatively.
“We were able to stay really productive even if it was tough being apart and it was tough.”
