Keeley to release old hits in wake of show elimination

Tullamore musician Brendan Keeley plans to re-release some of his old hits and work on a new album in the wake of being kicked off "The Voice of Ireland". "The Voice" team leader Brian Kennedy chose to eliminate Brendan on last Sunday's show, saving instead Alan Fitzsimons from Swords in Dublin. Brendan admitted to feeling "absolutely robbed" by the decision. The controversial decision led to an invite from the Ryan Tubridy show on 2FM on Monday morning, where Brendan got to face his former team leader over the decision. Speaking to the Offaly Independent this week Brendan said he still feels the same about the decision that saw his run on the show end at the hands of his mentor. "I was absolutely robbed," he said. "The whole country feels the same thing. It was a wrong decision. Alan had been living in the bottom two. I had never been there." Speaking on 2FM Brendan told Mr Kennedy he believes the decision "brings his credibility into question". Brendan told the Offaly Independent he would have walked away happy if he had gone down against Richie Hayes, but the reality was he "didn't go out to a better act". "It's not bitterness," he added. "I'm just gutted with the way it was done." Brendan immediately contacted "The Voice" organisers after his elimination from the show, looking to be released from the contract he signed upon entering it that included record deals, publishing, management, touring and merchandise in order to "move fast" with plans to re-launch his own career in the wake of the exposure the show brought. Speaking on Thursday he said he had been told he was to be released from the contract and was just waiting on legal confirmation. He said personal plans now include re-releasing former hits along with working on material for a new album. He added that while show organisers haven't decided whether or not a "The Voice" tour will take place yet, he will be part of that if it does happen.