BRIAN McFadden's younger sister Susan (28) is singing for joy after being named as the new member of Celtic Woman.
The former Westlife star's pop career may have flopped, but his younger sibling is due to take America by storm next month.
The Herald can reveal how the Artane native will be joining Twink's daughter Chloe Agnew on the group's 2012 tour of Believe.
And she said she was "so honoured and excited" to be replacing Lisa Kelly in the hit group, which includes Lisa Lambe and Mairead Nesbitt.
"I have followed Celtic Woman's success over the years and I am so thrilled to have been asked to be a part of something so special," said Susan. "I can't wait to tour and perform with Chloe, Lisa and Mairead."
She is now busy rehearsing for the start of their new tour, with their first date in Nashville on February 3 followed by a string of venues over America.
Formed in 2004, the group have had massive success Stateside, having sold over 6m records.
Susan is now set to capitalise on the group's success as she tours America over the next three months before coming to Europe to start the tour in May.
A graduate of the Billie Barry stage school, she got her big break on the ITV reality show Grease Is The Word after beating off some stiff competition.
This saw her go on to play the lead female role of Sandy in the West End production of Grease alongside Danny Bayne in August 2007.
She has now performed in the title role in a string of West End musicals, including Legally Blonde last year.
Now, she'll be getting her teeth stuck into a new challenge after signing up to join the all-female traditional vocal group.
And according to Chloe Agnew, (left) the friendship between the vocalists is always the question they're asked. "I think people are always looking for a Desperate Housewives story, that they all hate each other and nobody actually gets along. And the truth of the matter is, it's not. The reality is we do all get along. The five of us are like sisters, best friends," she said.
By Melanie Finn
Tuesday January 10 2012
mfinn@herald.ie 
