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He eventually went solo and had a radio show as well as performing concerts and cabaret.

In 1963 he was booked to appear on Sunday Night at the London Palladium.

As a result of this performance, Bill Cotton, then Assistant Head of Light Entertainment, offered him his own show on BBC television, lasting for over 20 years.

It featured his relaxed crooner style performance sitting in a rocking chair, as well as a number of comic Irish songs, notably " Paddy McGinty's Goat ", " Delaney's Donkey ", and " O ' Rafferty's Motor Car ", on which he accompanied himself on acoustic guitar.

He often wore cardigans and jumpers, which became his trademark along with the rocking chairs from which he often performed, and he was sometimes compared to American singer Perry Como, though he has claimed his main influence was Bing Crosby.

As it was a variety show, it gave a number of other performers early exposure, such as Dave Allen.

On 31 December 1976, Doonican performed his hit song " What Would I Be " on BBC One's A Jubilee Of Music, celebrating British pop music for Queen Elizabeth II's impending Silver jubilee.