Brother of Joe Dolan says he wants to be opening act for pop superstar Robbie Williams at Croke Park

The brother of the late showband legend Joe Dolan says he wants to be the opening act for pop superstar Robbie Williams at his Croke Park show next year.

The 50-year-old, who will be performing on August 23, paid tribute to singer Joe after announcing the concert.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday evening, the UK star said he wants to pay a musical tribute to family friend Joe Dolan at the gig in Croker.

READ MORE: Joe Dolan's brother reveals fans still call to his pub and weep over star's tragic death

READ MORE: Family of the late Joe Dolan announce nationwide tour remembering the singer

Now Joe’s brother Ben said he’d love it if The Joe Dolan Band opened for the Let Me Entertain You hitmaker as they will also be on tour from January until May next year performing hits from the late star around Ireland

Ben told the Sunday Mirror: “He [Robbie] did it before. He sang Good Looking Woman. He’d probably do it again.

“He’s in Ireland and Joe is still popular. I doubt I’d join him on stage, but we would probably open the show for him.

“Our show is a family show, and it is a tribute show. It’s all Joe’s songs that we sing. I’ve two sons and a daughter in the band and another girl singing with us as well.”

The 90-year-old, who celebrated his milestone in June, said: “So we’ve four Dolans in the frontline. I’d like to open for Robbie.”

On Monday, the former Take That star told reporters about the friendship between his dad and Joe. Ben recalled the story that Robbie’s father Peter took Joe home one night after he couldn’t remember what hotel he was staying in. Robbie said he was made to get out of his bed and give it to the Mullingar hitmaker, who was staying the night.

Speaking about that night, Ben said: “Years and years ago back in England, the story was that Joe and Robbie’s father were drinking after a show.

“Robbie’s father used to be a singer as well but they were drinking in a pub after it and when it came to going home, Joe said he didn’t know where he was staying. So Robbie’s father said to come home with him.

“Anyway, they went home, Robbie was about five or six and I think he was asked to move out of the bed and let Joe into it.

“I wasn’t there but that’s the story.” The Angels singer said on Monday: “Because of this story, this connection, outdoor at the Aviva I did Good Looking Woman and it was so much fun.

“And when you do something like that it’s a little stunt, it’s a tip of the hat, it’s ticking a box…but I would ask the people of Ireland, can I do it again?”

Ben said it was “great” Robbie wants to pay tribute to Joe again at the iconic Dublin GAA venue. He added: “I think it’s great. It’s showbiz. Joe is probably the most popular singer coming out of Ireland.

The Annual Joe Dolan Tour returns in January to mark 18 years since the singer’s passing, who died from a brain tumour on St Stephens Day in 2007 aged 68.

To mark his legacy and his life, Joe’s family are on tour with their Remembering Joe show. Ben, who shared the stage with his younger brother for 47 fun-filled years, will highlight Joe’s successful singing career.

He will be joined on stage by Joe’s niece Sandra, nephews Adrian and Ray alongside singer Karen Carroll and members of Joe’s original backing band. It will be a nostalgic evening of hit after hit.

No Show Like A Joe Show was the catchphrase used to describe Joe’s live shows and how they used to put people in a happy mood.

Ben said: “No matter who you meet, they say, ‘Poor old Joe’. He did so many good songs.”

Asked how long he will continue touring now that he is 90, Ben said: “It will probably come to an end as soon as I come to an end.

“I’m good enough. I’m just a rocky on the feet. The balance is my worst point, but apart from that, I’m perfect. My mother used to say, ‘Live as long as you can and die when you can’t help it’. So that applies to me now.

• Tickets for The Joe Dolan Band shows start from €30 (plus fees) and are on sale now.

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