Irish legend Michael Flatley hasn't watched TV in 25 years - and prefers reading

Michael Flatley hasn't watched TV in 25 years (Image: Getty)

Irish legend Michael Flatley hasn't watched TV in 25 years - and prefers reading. The Riverdance star, 66, admitted he went on Loose Women but had never heard of the ITV show before.

Speaking at the Irish Post Awards, he said: "I've never watched television. I haven't watched TV in 25 years. First of all I'm too busy. But when I get home at night I love to curl up with a book. I'm a voracious reader.

"Right now I'm reading PG Wodehouse but I like to read several books at one time. I'm reading Mere Christianity which is a beautiful book by CS Lewis. I'm reading Houston Chamberlain's Foundations of the Nineteenth Century."

Michael shot to fame after attracting the attention of President of Ireland Mary Robinson and being invited to help create an intermission show for the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest.

Michael Flatley pictured with his wife Niamh O'Brien (Image: Getty)

He performed in a 7-minute show titled "Riverdance" for the interval act of the contest, which was held in Ireland.

After receiving worldwide acclaim, Flatley pushed to turn the show into a full-length production, which became Riverdance.

The dance troupe went on to be a worldwide hit and when the group split, Flatley went on to create his own show Lord of the Dance and Feet of Flames before retiring in 2016.

He is estimated to be worth £248million and has sold nearly £787 million in ticket sales.

But he admits he doesn't enjoy appearing on TV - and whilst he last year appeared on Loose Women he had never heard of it before.

He continued: "I don't do TV shows. I went on a show once called Loose Women. I'd never heard of it.

"My wife is smarter than I am so she knows all those things."

The star currently lives in Monte Carlo with his wife Niamh O'Brien and enjoys a simple life including swimming every day and fasting until lunchtime.

He runs his own whisky business with his food and beverage company Castlehyde.

He said: "I live in Monte Carlo. I am very blessed. I live on the beach. I swim every day. I wake up every morning and have two espresso's, then get into the water, then I get on the phone to do my business.

"Then I have my first meal about 1pm. Then I do more work."