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A Dublin man is living out his childhood dream after joining legendary rock band Status Quo.

Richie Malone from Firhouse was drafted in to replace his idol Rick Parfitt on the band’s farewell tour.

The 30-year-old is still reeling after playing the 3Arena with his heroes and is now getting ready for a month on the road.

Richie, who fronted the band RAID, is 16 gigs in now but he said he’s still coming up for air after replacing Rick – who was forced to quit the tour for health reasons.

He said: “It’s been crazy. They were the main reason I got into playing guitar in the first place so to think I’m up on stage with them is just unbelievable.”

Richie first saw Quo live in 1999 when he accompanied his dad Karl to a gig in Belfast and he was blown away by their energy. He added: “I was still very young but it hit home that this was the only band for me.”

Richie said Parfitt inspired him to first pick up a guitar as a youngster and over the years he built up a friendship with the 68-year-old rocker.

He even travelled to the UK to commission a guitar exactly like Rick’s.

He revealed: “Rick was just everything I admired – his stage presence, his guitar playing, even his hair.

“I had long curly blond hair myself for a while but now it’s short which is better, since I don’t want to try to imitate him.”

Richie said nerves almost got the better of him when he took to the stage at the 3Arena – particularly as he had to open with the song Caroline.

But an endorsement from Rick gave him the confidence to keep going.

He said: “They’re big shoes to fill. I’m honoured every night to be up there.

But Rick e-mailed me to say I’m doing really well and it’s great to see that I’ve stepped up to the plate.”

And he told how Francis Rossi – who earned a reputation as a joker for his antics during Live Aid in the 1980s – still likes a good laugh behind the scenes.

Richie said: “I was on a UK breakfast TV show and they did this Quo Quiz thing. And Francis was there behind the cameraman pulling faces.”

Richie, who has three daughters under the age of three, said wife Jessica is “super proud and super busy” as he takes on 18 gigs in Germany next month.

And he’s hoping despite its billing as The Last Night At The Electrics Tour this won’t be his last chance to play with the band.

He said: “This is supposed to be their big farewell but I hope it’s not because it’s going so well.”