Together, they recall her dancing with him on an early-Eighties TV show, how she led Goofy in an Irish jig at Disneyworld, how she was always mad to sing and be the centre of attention. She saw how he was different to other dads, how he could switch on and off the public persona, what a thrill it was to have an audience. Those days on the road may have contributed to Melanie's taste for performance. "We used to go with him on tour, too," Melanie says, "So it never seemed like he was away and there was the sense that we stayed close together as a family." Without doubt, he says, that decision helped keep the family together. I saw people make mistakes through drink and messing and partying all the time, and I consciously avoided that." "I always came home at night," he says, "all down the years and no matter where I was performing. The comedian from Dublin's Liberties was careful not to make the classic mistake, however, and allow the career take precedence over the family. He and his wife Eileen began their family at the height of his career, when he had several hit records under his belt and a successful line in touring. They were always a close family, says Brendan. "But Melanie, of all the family, reminds me most of myself," he concludes and it's the actress daughter's turn to choke up on the compliment. "And all I ever thought was, I want to do that, too."įor a moment, Brendan Grace is a little choked and then, back to business, explaining how Melanie always displayed the personality of a performer and how his other three, Amanda, 26, Bradley, 19, and Brendan Patrick, 17, are equally talented. "I remember watching him from backstage as a kid and thinking how he looked suddenly bigger when he went out there," Melanie recalls, while Brendan listens in uncharacteristic silence. He's not so keen on that idea, but there's no end to his pride in this "chip off the old block". And while her father thanks her for the compliment, she adds that growing the trademark Grace beard should present no problem. 'ALL I ever wanted to be was the female Brendan Grace," says the comedian's 24-year-old daughter Melanie. BONDINGS Actress Melanie Grace, daughter of Brendan, is growing up just like her dad, writes Sarah Caden
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