INTERVIEW
IN MY EXPERIENCE…
Noel Fitzpatrick
The Supervet, 55, reflects on losing his beloved border terrier Keira, the trauma of being abused as a child, and his dreams of becoming a rock star
by DANNY SCOTT
You grew up on a farm in rural Ireland. Is that what made you want to be a vet?
That’s where I first tried to repair a lamb’s broken leg with a couple of sticks and some baling twine. I wished I could do more for the animals. But I also had dreams of being a rock star. Up to the age of 11, all I’d heard were hymns, then I found Led Zeppelin’s Stairway to Heaven on a pirate radio station. I wanted a guitar for Christmas, but my dad bought me a saw for removing sheep horns.
Do you miss Ireland?
When Mammy was alive, I went back a lot. I still have family over there, but we’re all busy with our own lives. The Fitzpatrick gang did come and see a show I did in Dublin. That was a lot of fun.
You’ll soon be doing more live shows as you’ve announced a new tour, Beyond Supervet. What made you decide to go out on the road?