One of the most quietly powerful moments surrounding New Year’s Eve 2026 is the pairing of Shona McGarty and Ronan Keating, whose voices come together for a duet of “Baby Can I Hold You” during Ronan Keating & Friends. The collaboration has already sparked curiosity, long before the first note is heard.

Ronan Keating, whose career spans Boyzone’s chart-dominating years and decades as a solo artist, has built a reputation for emotional storytelling through song. Choosing “Baby Can I Hold You” carries weight. The track has deep roots in the Boyzone catalogue and is known for its vulnerability and stripped-back honesty, making it a natural choice for a duet built on feeling rather than spectacle.

@bbcShona and Ronan’s voices together are *chef’s kiss* #RonanKeatingAndFriends#ShonaMcGarty#NewYearsEve#NewYearsJoin#RonanKeating♬ original sound – BBC

 

Shona McGarty brings a different kind of presence. Widely known for her television work, she has steadily proven herself as a vocalist with a strong, expressive tone that leans toward raw emotion. Placing her voice alongside Ronan’s seasoned delivery creates a contrast that feels intentional and intriguing, blending familiarity with something new.

The duet sits within a wider New Year’s Eve celebration that brings together past and present, nostalgia and surprise. While the night includes multiple guest appearances and crowd-pleasing moments, attention keeps circling back to this pairing. Fans are eager to hear how two voices from different worlds connect on a song that demands sincerity.

“Baby Can I Hold You” is not a flashy choice. That is precisely why it matters. The song invites stillness, reflection, and connection, making it a standout moment as one year closes and another begins. For many watching, Shona and Ronan sharing this song could become the performance people remember long after the countdown fades.

Sometimes the most talked-about moments arrive quietly. This feels like one of them.