Filan was born on July 5, 1979 to Peter and Mae Filan, and grew up in Sligo, a small town in the northwest of Ireland. The youngest of seven children, he has three brothers and three sisters: Finbarr, Peter Jr, Yvonne, Liam, Denise and Mairead. His parents owned a diner in Sligo named Carlton Cafe located on Castle Street and Shane used to work there as a waiter from a very early age.
Filan attended Summerhill College, a Catholic school, with Kian Egan and Mark Feehily. All three of them participated in a school production of Grease when they were about 12. The Hawkswell Theatre became a significant part of their careers, and as a big fan of Michael Jackson, Filan taught himself how to moonwalk.
2004
WESTLIFE'S KIAN BUYS SECRET LOVE PAD IN SLIGO; Star settles down.
WESTLIFE star Kian Egan has bought himself a luxury love pad to enjoy with stunning girlfriend Jodi Albert.
The seafront house in his native Sligo is just a few hundred yards from the plush home he bought for his parents.
The millionaire singer splashed out E340,000 for the five-bedroom house on a private estate in Strandhill in the last ...
Five minutes with... Westlife Jun 22 2008 Wales On Sunday
OUR STORY How did you manage to write a book between the four of you? Nicky: Well, it was obviously difficult in more ways than one for the writer Martin Roach. He interviewed us separately and collectively. He also had to cater for four different personalities and four different people talking and telling the same story in different versions, but he did it effectively. I read the book and even though I know all the stories and I was in stitches laughing, it,s a milestone in our career 10 years on. Even if you, re not a Westlife fan, the book is a success story in the pop industry. Kian: We all opened up Mark in particular opened up and said things he might not have said to members of his band. It,s sometimes easier to talk to someone outside the band about your story.
How did you feel when Brian McFadden announced he was leaving? Nicky: My initial thought when he told us was that he was punking us. That was Brian,s personality. He was sitting beside me so I looked at him, smiled, laughed, and started checking him for wires because that would be a typical Brian thing to do. I respect him for doing it even though it was heart-breaking. I thought he was crazy. I offered him counselling, we were almost in relationships with each other in terms of how much time we were spending together so I thought maybe counselling might have helped us. But there were different things going on that we didn,t know about. Obviously there were things going on with his marriage that we didn,t have a clue about. But I think he made the right choice for him. Shane: Brian leaving was a very big turning point within Westlife. I wonder whether we would be still be together if Brian hadn,t left, I don,t know. At the time it made us realise how lucky we were. It made us stronger as a group.
Three of you have known each other since school and Shane is married to Kian,s cousin. Is Westlife a family affair? Shane: We known each other since we were 12, for more than 15 years, so it has been kind of like they,re family to a certain degree. We picked each other as mates so that is the backbone to a strong relationship, and when the others came they gelled with us straight away.
Were you worried about how people would react to news that Mark was gay? Mark: I really didn,t give a damn what anyone thought that,s one of the key things that anyone that,s gay needs to realise before they come out. It,s getting to the point of not giving a s**t what anyone thinks that actually pushes you into it. Too many people care about what people will react like.
What will you do during your year off? Shane: My wife is pregnant so I,m looking forward to having some time off. But I,m worried I,ll be bored after four or five months, not working. Even if you have a new baby it,s going to be a shock to the system after having a schedule for so long.
What do you think Westlife stands for today? Kian: We ure not a political band, we ure not trying to make any big noise politically or in the music industry. We don,t try to sell ourselves as this credible, funky band that writes their own records and is making milestones in the music industry. We ure just four guys that sing great pop songs for pop fans.
Reeds gemeld
After the last minute cancellation of their Arena show earlier this month due to two of the group falling ill, Westlife will be in town next week to honour the date. But it will be the last time we see them for a while, as the quartet plan to take at least a year off after the current tour. LISA WILLIAMS spoke to them about the break and their latest book Our Story...
How did you manage to write a book between the four of you? Nicky: Well it was obviously difficult in more ways than one for the writer, Martin Roach. He interviewed us separately and interviewed us collectively. He also had to cater for four different personalities and four different people talking and telling the same story in different versions, but he did it effectively. I read the book and even though I know all the stories and I was in stitches laughing, It's a milestone in our career ten years on. Even if you're not a Westlife fan, the book is a success story in the pop industry.
Kian: We've all opened up - Mark in particular opened up and said things he might not have said to members of his band. It's sometimes easier to talk to someone outside the band about your story so we've told it as was. I'm not a massive book-reader but this one I read in three or four days - I couldn't put it down. I was quite taken aback with how fast I wanted to read it, even though I knew what was going to happen.
How did you feel when Brian McFadden announced he was leaving?
Nicky: My initial thought when he told us was that he was punking us. That was Brian's personality. He was sitting beside me so I looked at him, smiled, laughed, and started checking him for wires because that would be a typical Brian thing to do. I respect him for doing it even though it was heart-breaking . I thought he was crazy. I offered him counselling, we were almost in relationships with each other in terms of how much time we were spending together so I thought maybe counselling might have helped us. But there were different things going on that we didn't know about. Obviously there were things going on with his marriage that we didn't have a clue about. But I think he made the right choice for him.
Shane: Brian leaving was a very big turning point within Westlife, I wonder whether we would be still be together if Brian hadn't left, I don't know. At the time it made us realise how lucky we were and how fickle the thing could be - that it could be over just like that. It made us stronger as a group.
Nicky: We only got bigger after he left which was a bit weird in a way. We never expected that - to even last would have been good but you actually out-do ourselves and keep getting better was really good.
What do you think of Louis Walsh's involvement in X Factor?
Kian: As long as what he's doing with Westlife what they've always done with Westlife then that's the important thing. I think Louis being involved has done nothing but good for us. He knows the people who run the show, the people behind the scenes and it opens doors. Contacts are a very big part of our industry.
Three of you have known each other since school and Shane is married to Kian's cousin. Is Westlife a family affair? Shane: We've known each other since we were 12, so for more than 15 years so it has been kind of like they're family to a certain degree. We picked each other as mates so that is the backbone to a strong relationship, and when the others came they gelled with us straight away.
Do you have a favourite book?
Shane: I don't read that much but I've started reading a lot crime books by writers such as Paul Williams. His are books about crime in Ireland, all true stories. In general I like history, facts and public figures. I'm intrigued by JFK, for example.
Were you worried about how people would react to news that Mark was gay? Mark: I really didn't give a damn what anyone thought - that's one of the key things that anyone that's gay needs to realise before they come out. It's getting to the point of not giving a s**t what anyone thinks that actually pushes you into it. Too many people care about what people will react like and that's the problem. For me I really didn't care what anyone thought and I don't mean that in any ignorant or aggressive way it was just the way it was.
What will you do during your year off?
Shane: My wife is pregnant so I'm looking forward to having some time off. But I'm worried I'll be bored after four or five months, not working. Even if you have a new baby it's going to be a shock to the system after having a schedule for so long.
What do you think Westlife stands for today?
Kian: We're not a political band, we're not trying to make any big noise politically or in the music industry. We don't try to sell ourselves as this credible, funky band that writes their own records and is making milestones in the music industry. We're just four guys that sing great pop songs for pop fans.
Football career Before joining Sligo based band IOU, Byrne was a footballer who played for Home Farm F.C. and St. Clemintines Boys F.C. in North Dublin. He became a professional football player, and joined Leeds United as a goalkeeper in 1995, and was a squad member of the FA Youth Cup winning team of 1997
He played for Leeds for two years, leaving when his contract expired in June, 1997. He played in a reserve game for Scarborough F.C. and in a trial game with Cambridge United before returning to join Dublin club Shelbourne. He then signed for Cobh Ramblers, then St. Francis F.C., all in Ireland's Eircom league.
WESTLIFE - WESTLIFE STAR BACKS GAY CAMPAIGN
WESTLIFE star MARK FEEHILY is spearheading a campaign to help fight homophobic bullying in Britain's schools. The singer - who revealed he was gay in August 2005 - joined Stonewall's campaign because he was bullied as a boy. He says, "It's not just individual bullying, it's the way kids in classrooms use the word gay to mean bad - gay trainers, a gay jacket they don't like - that needs to be tackled. "People need to know that a throwaway remark at school will stab certain members of the class in the heart." Feehily joins Sir Ian MCKellan, The Feeling star Dan Gillespie Sells, and Dannii Minogue in backing the nationwide campaign.
Pictures of Westlife
At 'This Is It' Michael
Jackson Premiere
Westlife call off big bash to jet away for Robbie's Soccer Aid
April 06 2010 Westlife have been forced to cancel the after-party they had planned to throw for their much anticipated Where We Are concert at Croke Park next June.
The pop foursome were due to host a bash for friends and family after what promises to be one of their biggest gigs ever.
However the Herald has learned the band will instead be hopping on a plane to Manchester to take part in Robbie Williams' World Cup Soccer Aid special the next day.
The boys will line out at Manchester United's Old Trafford alongside a number of celebrities on June 6 to take on a team of football heroes including Alan Shearer and Jamie Redknapp.
Robbie, who has been organising the event for four years, said he chose the date as it falls just five days before the World Cup kicks off in South Africa. A source close to the group said: "The boys were disappointed when they heard that the two dates were falling so close together.
"After a big gig like that in their home country and in front of their Irish fans, they would generally have had a few drinks to relax, but this time they'll be sticking to water so that they're on top of their game the next day.
"Nicky, in particular, would take it all very seriously and wouldn't want to let his teammates down when he gets out onto the pitch."
The dad of two (31) is a former professional football player, who was signed to Leeds United for two years as a goalkeeper, before he returned to Dublin and forged a pop career.
He and his bandmates will join celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, comedian James Corden and cricket player Brian Lara for the match.
Not even torrential rain could keep Westlife 22,000 screaming fans away as they played to a packed stadium.
The Irish pop group sang a collection of their hits, including Flying Without Wings and Fool Again at the July Racecourse in Newmarket.
With four costume changes, and their trademark bar stools, the band kept up the tempo with a rendition of I have a Feeling by group, The Black Eyed peas.
A spokeswoman for the racecourse said: It was a complete sell-out and fantastic concert.
The guys talked to the crowd and sang a mix of their old and new songs and the crowd went wild.
November 19 2009 Westlife dedicated their performance at the Childline concert to Stephen Gately.
WESTLIFE paid an emotional tribute to fellow boyband star Stephen Gately dedicating their headline show to his memory at the Cheerios Childline concert at Dublin's 02 arena last night.
The Irish popstars gave a riveting performance at their first homecoming gig since playing to 82,000 adoring fans at Croke Park last summer and helped raise €400,000 for the Irish children's charity.
And for disappointed fans who couldn't get tickets to see last night's sold-out show, the band revealed they were in talks for another gig here next summer.
L-R Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily Shane Filan and Kian Egan of Westlife arrive for the 'Cosmopolitan Ultimate Women Of The Year Awards 2010' at Banqueting House on November 2, 2010 in London, England.
MCFADDEN WILL NEVER REJOIN WESTLIFEIrish pop stars WESTLIFE have dashed rumours former bandmate BRIAN MCFADDEN is planning to rejoin the group. MCFadden quit Westlife in 2004 to pursue a solo career. When that failed, he moved to Australia with fiancee Delta Goodrem and embarked on a career as a TV and radio personality. It was recently rumoured he may rejoin his former bandmates - but Westlife singer Kian Egan insists the door is closed on a reunion. He tells Angry Ape, "No. He doesn't live in this country and he's not in the music industry anymore. He has a new life in Australia. We're all still very good friends, but he left Westlife for a reason."
LOUIS WALSH AWARDED MAYOR PERSON OF THE YEAR IN DUBLIN 2009
Shane Filan with his wife Gilian Filan and Nicky Byrne with his wife Georgina Byrne. Louis Walsh is awarded Mayor Person of the Year 2009 at the Citywest Hotel - Dublin, Ireland - 13.02.09
Kian Egan leaving his car, carrying his dog - Dublin, Ireland - 29.01.09
Mark Feehily has revealed that Kian Egan can be violent when drunk.
The Westlife singer, who is in the Irish boyband with Egan, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne, said that Egan once bit his ear.
Feehily told Jonathan Ross on his chatshow: "[Kian] bites everybody - he bit my ear and nearly took the lobe off."
Talking about when bandmate Brian McFadden left the group in 2004, Feehily said: "When Brian left, we... thought we'd slowly fall apart."
Byrne added: "Managing to survive brought us closer together
Reeds gemeld
Westlife member Nicky Byrne devastated as his dad dies suddenly aged 4/11/2009
Westlife star Nicky Byrne was devastated last night after his father collapsed and died of a heart attack.
The singer broke down in tears when he discovered his beloved dad - also named Nicky - died suddenly at home in Swords, near Dublin.
His wife Yvonne called medics but it was too late to save the 60-year-old.
Pop hunk Nicky, 31, called his dad his 'best friend in the world' and the pair set up a karaoke business together before he hit the big time.
Last night a friend said: "Nicky is distraught. It's a huge shock. He and his dad were very close."
Nicky's band mates arrived at their home to express their sympathies. Westlife has cancelled a regional radio tour planned for this week.
Westlife - Brian Mcfadden Teams Up With Fellow Irish Stars For New Album January 2013
Former Westlife star Brian Mcfadden has teamed up with fellow Irish singers Ronan Keating and Sinead O'connor to record tracks for his new album.
MCFadden is celebrating his heritage with his latest solo record The Irish Connection, which is due for release in March (13).
The album features covers of songs by a number of famous local acts, including Northern Irish rockers Snow Patrol and the Cranberries, as well as duets with Keating and O'Connor.
MCFadden says, "This album is something I have wanted to do for a long time. Ireland has produced some of the greatest songs in history and I decided I would put my own twist on a collection of my favourite ever Irish songs."
Brian McFadden spotted shopping in the Bullring 25 Jan 2013
Former Westlife star Brian McFadden took time out to do a spot of shopping in Birmingham city centre today.
The 32-year-old, who is performing at the city’s LG Arena on Friday night with former fellow Irish boyband member Ronan Keating, was spotted browsing the shops at the Bullring just after 10am this morning.
A spokeswoman for the mall said: “He was with his wife Vogue William, and was first seen heading across the middle west mall before spending a lot of time in Topshop.
“There weren’t many shoppers around at the time as many of the shops had only just opened.”
The singer-songwriter, who now judges Australia’s Got Talent, married Irish DJ Williams last September after they began dating in May 2011.
The star has a string of former famous lovers, including Australian actress and singer Delta Goodrem. The couple, who sang a duet Almost Here, called off their engagement in April 2011.
McFadden has two daughters, Molly, 11, and Lilly-Sue, 10, with ex-wife and former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry Katona
The former Westlife band member admitted that Simon Cowell's latest boyband are more radio-friendly.
"One Direction songs are proper radio records, but Westlife were about selling albums," McFadden told the Daily Star.
The singer also revealed that he would love the opportunity to feature on the next series of The X Factor and help the next generation of popstars.
"If Simon Cowell rang me tomorrow I'd be in the car and straight down there," he added.
Meanwhile, McFadden recently announced that The Irish Connection will serve as his new solo studio album, which will be released on March 11.
Get ready for possibly the most exciting boy band news in a long time – Brian McFadden has admitted that he would “definitely” consider reuniting with Westlife in the future, if the opportunity arose.
The singer quit the band 11 years ago and launched a successful career as a solo singer.
But speaking to stv.tv’s Gill Harvey recently, Brian admitted that he loved his time with the chart-topping Irish group, and would jump at the chance of reunion.
“Westlife only broke up six months ago, so give them a few years to chill out and rest,” Brian joked, before adding: “We never discussed [a reunion] ourselves. I’m sure if the band got back together they’d probably want to do it as a four-piece, but if they did want to get back together as a five I would definitely do something with them. It’s been a huge part of my career and a huge part of my life, they were great times.”
In the meantime though Brian is happy to let some of the younger crowd, aka One Direction and The Wanted, take on the reigns in the boy band stakes.
Speaking about 1D, who are being tipped the ‘new Beatles’ because of their current global domination of the pop market, Brian said: “I think they’re great. They remind me of what Westlife were like, but they’re making these amazing radio records that are getting played in America, all over the world.
“They’re not just a boy band selling albums any more, they’re getting played on radio which is a nice change. “
Brian continued: “Boy bands will be round forever. People said the day of the boy band was gone but as long as there are teenage girls these always going to be this demand for a boy band.”
Check out the video in the player above to hear more of what Brian has to say about Westlife, One Direction and his own solo career.
Brian wraps up his current tour alongside Ronan Keating on February 12, and will release his next solo album,
He's lost out on millions and has been singing in pubs, not stadiums, but Brian McFadden insists he is happy he walked away from Westlife.
‘I probably had financial regrets. We didn’t even know what we used to earn in Westlife. The accountants just kept adding up. I’m glad I’m not that millionaire any more. This way, you work harder and enjoy it more. ‘The pleasure I have had since leaving keeps me alive, though it’s been a rollercoaster. One minute I’ll have a number one single, then I’ll have a single that doesn’t even make the Top 40, then I’ll think I’m finished and then I come back a couple of years later. In Westlife, we went through a stage where we thought we were invincible. We didn’t realise how lucky we were.’
The rest of the band split up last June after two 82,300 capacity concerts in Croke Park, Dublin, having notched up record sales of more than 44 million. McFadden’s solo career got off to the best possible start when his single Real To Me went straight to number one in 2004. ‘I was thinking, OK, for the rest of my life it’ll just be the same as Westlife has been for the last six years. And then you realise how quickly that can all change.’ His second single Irish Son reached number six, but the album of the same name failed to make the top 20. By this time his marriage to Katona — who won I’m A Celebrity . . . Get Me Out Of Here in 2004 — had ended.
McFadden felt he needed a change and headed for Australia. ‘No one knew who I was because Westlife had never been successful there. I could walk the streets, go into a pub, go shopping, just be normal again. I liked the idea of starting from scratch.’ He’d earned a reputation as the bad boy of Westlife. I remember being with the band — the other members were Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan — on tour in Singapore.
I accompanied Mark Feehily to the official Manchester United shop out there where he bought his brother a football shirt. Later McFadden showed off his own purchase: a £1,800 camera with telescopic lenses. ‘My dad has that now,’ he says a bit sheepishly. Since then he’s been through a few Ferraris too. ‘I left because I didn’t have a life,’ he says. ‘We’d achieved things we could never have dreamed of but we never had one second to enjoy it. It was like going out with the most beautiful girl in the world and never being able to sleep with her.’ Couldn’t he have aired his grievances with the rest of the band and manager Louis Walsh? ‘We could never discuss those things. The problem with having five people in the band is that each of us would go through a period where we felt a bit jaded and needed time off. But when one person wants to do it, the other four don’t. ‘When I announced I was leaving it was put on the table: do we all break up or does just Brian go? They thought it was too early to break up. I realise I could have been responsible for that happening but I’m glad for everybody they had another seven years of fantastic success.
Back in the days: 'We didn't realise how lucky we were,' says Brian about his time in Westlife
Brian McFadden: I’d love to get back with Westlife boys again
@TheSun_Showbiz Brian McFadden: I’d love to get back with Westlife boys again March 2013
IT has been nine years since BRIAN McFADDEN stunned fans by walking out on WESTLIFE. The boy band were at the peak of their powers.
They’d secured 12 No1 singles and sold 40million albums. The lads went on as a four-piece while Brian forged a TV career in Australia.
Now he’s back with a new album, The Irish Connection, and a support slot on Ronan Keating’s world tour.
Here Brian discusses his old band, his comeback, his new wife Vogue Williams... and the mother of his two kids, ex-wife Kerry Katona.
HOW is your relationship with Kerry?
I don’t have a relationship with Kerry. For the kids’ sake, we make sure that runs smoothly.
Was it hard to keep quiet while she made public digs at you?
It looks like there’s a war but I’m happy to take everything said on the chin. I just don’t want the kids reading it. I want them to know everything is fine. They have a great nanny and have done for a long time. It’s not ideal that she lives her life through the papers but it’s her choice. She’s the mother of my children and I’ve got nothing bad to say about her.
How about The Big Reunion, with Kerry back with Atomic Kitten?
I know all them! It’s like the Smash Hits Road Show. All us of were on the same bill. It looks like fun but I’m glad I’m not part of it.
What did you miss most when living in Australia?
You know the banter you have on a Saturday afternoon when you sit around with the boys and watch a football match, jump into the bookies next door and put on a bet? There’s none of that in Australia.
Comeback ... Brian's album Do you and Vogue plan to settle down here?
We would like to stay in London. But it’s all down to work. I spent so much time in Australia because that’s where I was getting work.
Is it weird being back?
Yes! The music industry is completely different. There are no bands I know. Your Olly Murs, Rita Oras and One Directions — it’s hard to get my head round these people. I don’t know anybody in the labels. The journalists are new. Even the TV companies, from the runners to producers. But it’s nice to be back.
It’s like the people you went to college with. There are no bad vibes. I spoke to Mark (Feehily) the other day on the phone and Nicky (Byrne) a year ago. When the boys were in Los Angeles shooting their last video, when I lived there, we all went for dinner and Kian (Egan) and Mark came back and sat in my swimming pool to 6am drinking beers.
Did you mind not being invited on the band’s Farewell Tour last year?
There was never even a conversation. I spoke to Kian around the time and neither of us brought it up. I was in Westlife for six years and the Westlife that was together for the next seven was a different band. It wasn’t the Westlife that I was in that was retiring. Maybe some of the fans would have liked it — but for me and them it wouldn’t make any sense.
Would you ever rule out getting back together in the future?
I’d love to do something with the boys again and probably one day we will. But if they get back together in five years to celebrate 20 years of getting together and they don’t invite me, then I will be p***** off!
BRIAN MCFADDEN: I LOVED BEING IN WESTLIFE
HE traded the boyband world for solo loife in 2004 – but Brian McFadden finally feels ready to reform with Westlife.
The 32-year-old, whose new solo album The Irish Connection is out this week, has seen enough time go by to reflect on his pop roots with fond feelings.
The Irishman told me: “I loved being in Westlife and I miss the company because it can be lonely on the road.
“I watched them play to 85,000 people in Dublin and I was so jealous. If there was a reunion in 10 years I’d rejoin.”
He added: “Westlife were clever because all we’d have to do is sit on our stools and we’re sorted. We could come back when we’re 50.”
The group continued as a four-piece without Brian until calling it quits last year.
Shane Filan, 33, and Mark Feehily, 32, are hunting for solo deals while Kian Egan, 32, has become a judge on The Voice Ireland and Nicky Byrne, 34, strutted his stuff on Strictly Come Dancing.
Meanwhile Brian headed Down Under to become a judge on Australia’s Got Talent.
Right now his covers album – which features Ronan Keating, 35, and Sinead O’Connor, 46 – is his main focus.
He revealed: “I made the album in Sydney and came back to Dublin to do the collaborations.
“I picked my favourite artists’ songs and tried to produce them as if I’d written them.”
Westlife - Brian Mcfadden Received Death Threats Over One Direction Comments
Former Westlife star Brian Mcfadden was bombarded with death threats from One Direction fans after suggesting Niall Horan would be the first to quit the group.
The Irish singer was asked about the boyband in a recent interview with Britain's Real Radio Yorkshire and MCFadden singled out Horan when the host urged him to pick which singer he thought would be the first to launch a solo career.
MCFadden now reveals the comment sparked a backlash from the group's fans and he received a slew of threatening messages via Twitter.com.
He says, "I wouldn't wanna (sic) f**k with their fans. I was asked who I thought would be the first to leave One Direction on the radio - I didn't know (who to choose), but they (the hosts) said to pick one, so I said Niall because I'm Irish, he's Irish, and he has that glint in his eye. Then I get these Twitter comments from nut jobs (sic) like, 'Go f**king kill yourself'. I'm like, 'Calm down.' They're f**king nuts... It's different now because of Twitter - you can see how crazy people are."
Brian McFadden has revealed that he would love to join the X Factor judging panel, if Gary Barlow steps down this year.
Most stars wait for Simon Cowell to come knocking on their door, but the former Westlife star has put his name out there personally and admitted that working on the ITV singing show would be his dream job.
The Irish singer and Kerry Katona’s baby daddy (is that reason enough NOT to hire him?) has already worked with Cowell, as part of his former boyband and then again when he joined the judging panel of Australia’s Got Talent, so he thinks he knows what the music mogul wants from his judges and stars.
Brian is moving back to the UK, to pursue a reignited music career and told The Daily Mail that he would love to kick start it, by taking a place on the hit entertainment series.
‘I’m going to give Simon a call and ask him to put me on that list,’ he revealed.
‘We worked together for six years when I was in Westlife. I’ve gone through enough in my own career to be able to offer some advice.’
Brian recently supported Boyzone star Ronan Keating in his nationwide tour and it seems the concerts were a great experience for the singer. After his final gig this week he tweeted:
“just got off stage for the last night of the #fires tour with @ronanofficial what a great tour with a great bunch of people!!!!”
He will soon kick off his own UK tour and the shows will kick off in Glasgow on 19th March.
However, he may have some competition for the X Factor role, as insiders have claimed that Simon is considering adding Robbie Williams to the lineup. He wants a new female also, but the choice is said to be between Mel B and Sharon Osbourne. Olly Murs revealed last night that he is backing Mrs O for the job.
Man crush is really a Fad'
MAN CRUSH: Brian McFadden IT LOOKS like Mark Feehily isn't the only member of Westlife who fancies guys, as Brian McFadden (right) has also 'come out'. "I have a man crush on Tom Hardy," Brian (32), admits. "I'd do a girlie scream if I saw him." Asked which reality show judges he'd like to 'get off' with, he replies: "I'd snog Sharon Osbourne, marry Dannii Minogue and avoid Mel B. I always end up drinking with her when we're working, so I know she's trouble."
12 April 2013
Brian McFadden has joked that he and Ronan Keating need to "take a break" from each other.
The former Westlife star has teamed up with Boyzone's Ronan on several occasions and jokingly told The Sun that they would cut back on their joint projects in case people start thinking there's something going on between them.
Brian, 32, said: "Me and Ronan will take a break from each other now. We've done a lot of duets together and we've done two tours together.
"There are no more plans to do anything else. I think people will start to think there's something going on between us if we did anything else."
Ronan recently recorded a song for Brian's new album The Irish Connection, which also features other Irish stars.
Brian admitted that he had been hoping to get U2 frontman Bono on board for the record.
He said: "I rang Bono but he was away. I'm still waiting to hear back from him. I left him a voice message. I think it was his number. I found it on the back of a toilet door in a Dublin pub."
Brian McFadden has unveiled the video to his latest track ‘Time To Save Our Love’. The Dublin born singer-songwriter returns to the UK music scene with his first studio single in almost eight years. ‘Time To Save Our Love’ is an up-tempo ballad co-written by Brian, which showcases his versatile vocal talent. About the track Brian says:
“It’s great to be back in the UK full time and to release my first studio single in nearly 8 years here! The single is very special to me and to have co-written makes it even more so. As always the fans continue to be incredible and I look forward to seeing them on the road soon”
With a fifteen year career in the music industry Brian’s passion for making music remains undiminished. From being one fifth of Westlife, Britain’s biggest boy band of all time, to replicating this success in his solo career with the number-one hit ‘Real To Me’ and global recognition with the track ‘Almost Here’, Brian is back once again.
Brian is also set to take part in a brand new ITV entertainment show ‘Stepping Out’ – with his wife Vogue – hosted by Davina McCall starting next Saturday at 6.30pm on ITV1.
Watch Brian McFadden – Time to Save Our Love – Official Video below:
HIS son Koa might be only 13-months-old but doting dad Kian Egan is already planning baby number two.
our son, is 13-months-old now," said the 32-year-old former Westlife star.
"He's a perfect baby, but I'm sure our second one is going to make up for it. We'll probably wait until Koa is two or three before we try for another."
The Voice judge said the birth of his son had a profound effect on him and his wife Jodi.
"Koa was a great newborn. He'd wake up smiling; have a feed, then go back to sleep.
"We've been through a lot. I lost my dad before Koa was born, and Jodi's mum has been battling cancer for the last year but she's doing quite well now.
"When you have a child your perspective changes. All the stuff we worry about, you realise this is what matters – being there for that child, guiding his personality in the right direction." And former Hollyoaks actress Jodi Albert (29) says she feels an automatic bond with mums.
"I think the best thing that has happened to me since having a baby is the connection I actually feel with other mums who have been through the same thing," she wrote on her blog.
"I am never stuck for conversation with other mums. I talk about stretch marks, that my boobs are dropping a little bit and I can chat about it all day".
Kian married Jodi in Barbados in 2009. And Kian says he will never forget their Big Day.
"I was flabbergasted to see my fiancee walk up the aisle. I remember being gobsmacked, getting that butterfly feeling in my stomach and thinking 'Oh My God, this is real. This is it."
The new series of The Voice of Ireland a new coach Jamelia joining returning coaches Bressie, Sharon Corr and Kian Egan for the first of this season's 'blind' auditions, where the coaches can hear, but cannot see, the hopefuls.
KIAN EGAN
Not content with TV stardom former Westlife star Kian Egan apparently now has his sights set on a solo career. Following the news that former band-mates Mark and Shane have penned solo deals of their own it now seems Kian wants a bit of the action. The singer is said to already have a few tracks in the bag which he has produced with boyband McFly and his Voice of Ireland co-star Bressie. But Kian, who is planning on shopping the tracks to various record companies, isn't putting all his eggs in one basket. Egan is still keeping up with his TV work making regular appearances on This Morning as a presenter. The star is also said to be shooting a documentary for ITV about US music but has denied that he and former Wonderland star wife Jodie Albert are filming their own reality TV show. Rumours were rife that he and Jodie were to begin shooting a 'fly on the wall' style show but Egan insists that allowing camera's into their everyday life with his wife and baby son Koa is not something he is keen on. I can't say I'm not a little disappointed, who wouldn't love a peek at the lives of the rich and famous.
2013
Westlife singer Kian Egan has told of how he's enjoying living a "normal life" since the band retired.
The Voice' coach has embarked on a presenting career since the popular music group hung up their microphones last summer.
Egan splits his time between Ireland and the UK with wife Jodi Albert and their son, Koa, who celebrated his first birthday on December 20.
The father of one told the Irish Independent that he's adapting well without the band and can't wait to embrace more of life's simple pleasures, like making a cup of tea and putting his son to bed at night.
"Life is at a nice pace now. I'm not travelling as much and I'm getting to spend more time with Koa and Jodi, which is amazing," he said.
"But I'm still working hard. It's a shift in life, but feels good. I'm looking forward to settling down that little bit more again and having a normal life because since I was 17, before Westlife, I haven't had that.
"I want to wake up at home every day and spend time with my family."
After a successful stint on 'The Xtra Factor' and ITV's 'This Morning', Egan has been taking on more work in TV.
In what may be his biggest project yet, the 33-year-old was in the US with an ITV crew in December to film a programme which explores American music of the south.
He also admitted that he and wife Jodi would love to have more children in the future.
"Fatherhood is amazing. It surpasses anything else you've ever done," he said.
"We definitely do want more kids down the line, as we wouldn't want Koa to be an only child -- but not yet."
A SECOND Westlife star has run into house problems.
KIAN Egan will have to take down a timber fence from around his Sligo home after falling foul of planners.
But unlike bankrupt Shane Filan, who cannot get any offers for his mansion even at the knockdown price of €999,000, Kian and his wife, Jodi Albert, have simply been ordered by to take down a timber extension to the boundary stone wall.
The couple said they wanted the fencing for two years until landscaping and foliage matured to hide their home from the road, but Sligo County Council has refused their application
The luxury home is just half a mile from a beach where Kian indulges his passion for surfing.
The home's impressive kitchen was custom-made and features Asian fretwork door with distressed antique mirrors.
In the past three years, the couple have extended and modified the five-bedroom house at Carrowdough, Strandhill, building into the attic and fitting out a music and entertainment room. They've doubled the bungalow's size to 5,231sq ft.
Antique
Kian is a judge in RTE's The Voice of Ireland and Jodi starred in the Channel 4 series Hollyoaks in her native England before settling in Sligo.
The couple married in Barbados in May 2009 and their first baby, Koa, was born on December 20, 2011.
The couple named their son after the Hawaiian koa tree. "Some of the best surfboards are made from its wood, so when Koa was born it just suited him," says Kian.
Westlife star Kian Egan is enjoying living a normal life and spending time with his nearest and dearest since the boys disbanded last summer (12).
The hunky singer has now tried his hand at TV presenting, becoming a judge on the Irish version of hit talent show The Voice alongside The Corrs stunner Sharon Corr and sultry songstress Jamelia.
Kian splits his time between Ireland and the U.K. with his wife, former Hollyoaks star Jodi Albert, and their gorgeous son Koa, who celebrated his first birthday on 20 December last year (12).
Since Westlife hung up their microphones, the star admits he is embracing life's simple pleasures and is looking forward to having more kids in the future.
He tells the Irish Independent newspaper, 'Life is at a nice pace now. I'm not travelling as much and I'm getting to spend more time with Koa and Jodi, which is amazing. But I'm still working hard. It's a shift in life, but feels good. I'm looking forward to settling down that little bit more again and having a normal life because since I was 17, before Westlife, I haven't had that.
'I want to wake up at home every day and spend time with my family. Fatherhood is amazing. It surpasses anything else you've ever done. We definitely do want more kids down the line, as we wouldn't want Koa to be an only child - but not yet.'
'VOICE of Ireland' judge Kian Egan has been ordered to take down a 'privacy' fence which he erected around his country mansion.
The Westlife star and his wife, Jodi Albert, put up the wooden fence on top of a stone wall around their Strandhill, Co Sligo, home and then applied to Sligo County Council for planning permission on February 1.
Despite no listed objections to the fence being lodged, the council has refused the singer and his actress wife permission to retain the fence around the perimeter of their home.
No reason was given for the refusal of planning retention for the fence.
The couple must now decide either to appeal or be obliged to take down the fence as soon as possible.
In their application, which cost €102 to lodge, the couple claimed the fence was only to be in place for two years, to give shrubbery time to mature and develop as a natural screen.
"The fence provides protection to the landscaping as well as providing security," the application stated.
The house is located on the outskirts of the popular tourist and surfer town of Strandhill.
Over the past six years, the couple have lodged four separate applications for planning permission, as they constructed their large home on the site of a former house and constructed a gateway and access route to the house.
The celebrity status of the couple frequently draws fans to the perimeter of the largely stone dwelling, hoping to catch a glimpse of the Westlife crooner or his 'Hollyoaks' actress wife.
One local said he was surprised that the council refused permission for the temporary wooden fence.
"It's not exactly an eyesore and nobody has ever really passed any remarks on it," he said
"Kian and Jodi keep themselves to themselves and never cause anybody any real bother,"he added.
THEY may have survived the gruelling battle rounds, but Kian Egan has sent out a warning to the contestants on this year’s series of ‘The Voice’ – as every judge will be forced to cut their teams by a third in the first two weeks of live shows.
The former Westlife singer was speaking to Ryan Tubridy when he revealed the shake-up to this year’s live shows.
“We will all have three contestants for the first week, the audience will put one through and it will be down to us to decide who stays”, he said.
“That will happen again the following week. For the first two weeks we lose a contestant each — people are going to go home very fast."
The Sligo native said the changes were made to keep the show fresh and different from other talent show rivals.
“Last year it kind of felt like we got into the live show and it was just another live show with the contestant coming out on-stage.
“It was pretty generic and became very similar to all the other shows on TV, but now we are going to get to see the real talent really standing up.”
The talent show has been a ratings smash for RTE, regularly pulling in just shy of a million viewers every Sunday night.
POP hunk Kian Egan has admitted the reality of Westlife’s break-up still hasn’t hit him yet. The band went their separate ways last summer following a sell-out Farewell Tour.
But the singer, 32, has revealed how the finality of the split hasn’t sunk in — because he’s busy working on The Voice of Ireland.
He said: “Ask me a year or six months from now and I’ll feel a lot different about it.
“But whenever I do feel nostalgic, I remind myself we had 14 amazing years together.”
Nicky Naam voluit Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Geboortedatum 9 oktober 1978 Kleur ogen blauw Kleur haar Blond Lengte 1,76 Broers en zussen 1 zus en 1 broertje Woonplaats Dublin Instrument leert piano Vorige Baantjes Keeper bij Leed utd Favo - Film Armageddon - Actrice Cameron Diaz - Acteur Brad Pitt - Boek ?? (Tell me!!) - Kleding Designer Gucci - Westlife nummer Moments - Ballad Against all odds Slechtste WL songtekst?
I have a dream...a song to sing..."
en de zin: "We had joy we had fun.." Kenmerken Litteken op elleboog Huisdieren? geen Favo - "catch" phrase ?? - Lichaamsdeel (zelf) ogen - Lichaamsdeel vrouw ogen - Kleur blauw/wit
Nicky: Liam is obnoxious 2007 Nicky would never want to be Liam,
it seems Westlife's Nicky Byrne has apparently
revealed that whilst he loves Oasis
he would never want to swap places with Liam Gallagher.
The Westlife singer has confessed he finds the frontman
"obnoxious" -
and was shocked when he met him for the first time.
held at popular Harcourt Street venue Krystle nightclub.
Nicky and Georgina were among the partiers,
SHANE
Nicky is a top guy, and the person I talk to the most. We have a similar personality, the same taste in cars and girls. If I meet a girl, and I've been out with her a few times, I'll always ask Nicky for his opinion. He's good at spotting girls for me too. Both of us like very sexy girls with long legs and high heels, and when we're out he'll say "Shane you'll like her over there" and I won't notice her. Or he'll be sitting at the bar chatting to a girl and shout "Come over here Shane, there is someone you should meet" He's nearly always right - he's matched me up with a girl a few times! Nicky is definitely the most daring when it comes to fashion. He brought a £1.500 pair ofsky blue leather trousers recently, and he always wears these stupid, lucky irish green socks. He's got about ten pairs, all covered in shamrocks. Nicky's a great guy. We're always planning stuff together - we'd love to open a restaurant or club together. I can talk to Nicky about anything - he really listerns and gives me proper advice. He's like an older brother, and I look up to him an awful lot. He loves to shop just as much as I do, we're the same taste in clothes.
MARK
Nicky's the romantic one of us all. He was once away for Valentine's Day and he and his girlfriend Georgina were bitterly disappointed that they weren't going to see each other. He never said anything to her, but he flew back to Ireland and when she was in the shower he sneaked into her house and went up to her bedroom and filled it with balloons. So when she came back into the room all upset that she wasn't going to see her boyfriend, there he was lying on the bed with a box of chocolates! It's one of the most romantic things I've ever heard of and I've always wished the story was about me and that I'd done it for a girlfriend of mine. Nicky is quite sensible and mature normally, but he's definitely got a wild streak and he changes the most in drink. When he's got a few beers in him he gets very brave. He'll come up and give you a punch on the jaw just to be friendly. He thinks he's being playful but it really hurts. I think out of all of us Nicky was meant to be famous. He missed out on playing football for Leeds United because they dropped him when he was 16. He was destined to be a star. Nicky has become much more laid back in the recent months. He used to worry about everything, but he's much more chilled now. And he's very stylish. He loves clothes, and, even if the rest of us look like we've been dragged backwards through a hedge, Nicky keeps it together
KIAN
Nicky's got a lot of phobias. He gets scared in lifts and he doesn't like small spaces. We can't resist teasing him, we do it all the time. We'll get in a lift with him and jump up and down to make it move or pretend it's broken. He really freaks out and if the lift gets crowded, he starts pleading with people to get out. I'm just in tears laughing at him. He worries about mobile phones and bought an earpiece in case they give you cancer. He's frightened of flying and he's got all these strange superstitions. He insists on ringing every person he knows just before they get on a plane and again once they've landed. Nicky's very committed to the band and feels strongly about things. He's very headstrong. If he makes a point and then realises he's wrong, he'll still argue that he's right. This week, we were discussing whether to do a new dance routine on a TV show next week. The rest of us thought we should wait because we didn't know it well enough, but he was determined that we go ahead. He kept saying: "We have to do it, we have to do it." I reckon Nicky's most likely to get married first. He's been with his girlfriend for six years. They really love each other and he's very lucky in that
The Irish Times - 2013 Creditors of bankrupt Westlife singer Filan called to Dublin meeting later this month
Creditors of Westlife singer Shane Filan, who was declared bankrupt in Britain in June after being unable to repay €18 million worth of debts built up in property developments in Leitrim and Sligo, have been called to a meeting in Dublin later this month.
Kevin John Hellard and Richard Hicken of Grant Thornton UK LLP are joint bankruptcy trustees for Mr Filan, who chose to declare bankruptcy in the Kingston-upon-Thames county court outside London.
The trustees have now called a creditors’ meeting under rule 6.81 of the Insolvency Rules 1986 to take place at 24-26 City Quay, Dublin 2, at 1pm on January 22nd to establish a creditors’ committee and settle on remuneration for the trustees.
Under British bankruptcy law, a creditors’ committee consists of between three and five creditors elected by all, and they must give approval for the subsequent actions of the trustees, including the bringing, or taking of legal actions.
Creditors of the Westlife singer, pictured above with wife Gillian, who is now living in London, must lodge proofs of the debt outstanding with the trustees by noon on January 21st, according to an official notice posted yesterday.
Mr Filan, who is hoping to restart his music career with a solo album, was forced into bankruptcy after the property firm owned together with his brother Finbarr collapsed, leaving debts of more than €5.5 million to Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland.
Speaking after his bankruptcy declaration, Mr Filan said he had worked for months to avoid bankruptcy, but without success: “I have worked long and hard to try to reduce my debts, and I am devastated that it came to this conclusion,” he said then.
Westlife finished their final world tour last summer, having had 14 number one singles in Britain, including Flying Without Wings and Fool Again. In all, the band had more than two dozen songs that made the British Top 10.
Shane Filan’s house not sold, despite reports
SHANE Filan's Co Sligo mansion has not been sold, an estate agent said today.
However, Ken Draper of Sherry FitzGerald Draper in Sligo refuted the claim the ex-Westlife singer's home has a new owner.
"We are expecting instructions on this property but we certainly haven't even placed a value on it yet," he said.
"Due to the nature of the sale it will be required to be sold on the open market."
It understood father-of-three Filan and his wife Gillian moved all of their possessions out of the house last week ahead of a January 15 deadline.
They now live in Surrey where he has been declared bankrupt.
Friends say it cost Filan €3m to build the property which included landscaped gardens, a pond and a stream.
A businessman once offered him €10m for the home at the height of the boom.
It's understood the house will be put on the open market at the end of this month for around €1.3m.
It cannot be sold until after a creditors' meeting takes place in Dublin on January 22.
More than €18m is owed to creditors from the building company owned by Mr Filan and his brother Finbarr, €5M of that to Ulster Bank and Bank of Ireland.
Putting it behind them: Shane Filan and his wife Gillian headed out for a day in London, as creditors met in Dublin to discuss their bankruptcy
Bankrupt Westlife star Shane Filan and wife Gillian put money woes behind them for romantic day out
He's had a difficult year after been forced to file for bankruptcy when his property business collapsed.
But it seems that former Westlife star Shane Filan is moving on from his money woes, after being spotted out and about with wife Gillian in London on Friday. Seemingly in good spirits, the couple grabbed some takeaway coffee from Starbucks before heading out for the day, proving that they were putting their difficult year behind them.
According to new information in the Irish Independent the UK insolvency service allowed Filan to keep the ring, which is valued at $48,600. Befitting a platinum-selling pop star the ring is no simple gold band but is instead described in official documents as "a gentleman's platinum two-row channel-set 31.41 carat baguette diamond wedding ring
Former boyband star Shane Filan has been left with only the ring on his finger following bankruptcy
Keeping his ring: Shane has been allowed to keep his wedding band, after filing £18 million bankruptcy debt
Shane Filan’s mansion goes on the market
THE mansion that formerly belonged to bankrupt Westlife star Shane Filan has been put on the market.
The Castledale house in Carraroe, Co Sligo – once home to singer Shane (33), his wife Gillian and their young family – has a price tag of €990,000.
This is a far cry from the estimated €4m the house cost to build.
The move comes as the father-of-three continues to deal with debts of up to €23m.
The well-known singer – who is rumoured to be releasing a solo album this year - was declared bankrupt in the UK last June.
He now lives in a €2.5m house in Surrey with wife Gillian and their three children Nicole (7), Shane (4) and Patrick (3) as he works through his financial problems.
The detached house has five bedrooms and six bathrooms and has been listed by Sherry Fitzgerald Draper with a guide price of €990,000 – although it’s expected to go for more than that.
Shane built the house from scratch in 2004 after being given the land by a relative and it’s estimated that he splashed out up to €4m on building it.
The Bank of Scotland is owed €3.85m on the home.
Covering an area of nearly 10,000sq ft and set on almost five acres of landscaped gardens, the waterfront home with a natural stone finish includes a bar and an entertainment lounge as well as a cinema area and a sun-room.
It is controlled by electronic gates with trees and shrubs blocking it from the road.
BANKRUPT Shane Filan has turned to America in a bid to recoup his missing millions. Hush Hush can reveal the former Westlife star is currently holed up in Nashville. The Tennessee city may be known as the capital of country music, but Shane is busy there with some of the world's top songwriters in a bid to top the music charts as a solo artist. "He is delighted with what he has accomplished so far and there will be a bidding war in the coming months to sign him up," says a pal. Insiders hope Shane will become the Irish answer to Michael Bublé. The likeable Sligoman lost his €10m fortune from Westlife due to investments with his brother in the property market.Their company reputedly has debts of €23m. Bankrupt Last June he was declared bankrupt in the UK, where he has moved home with his wife Gillian because of its more lenient insolvency laws, which means he will be able to start over again after a year. Last week Shane's plush home in Co. Sligo was put on the market for €990,000, a huge drop from the €10m a businessman offered during the boom. The mansion, which cost €3m to build in 2004, is being sold following a creditors' meeting last month. It's a spectacular fall from financial grace for the 33-year-old, who appeared to have it all.
Shane Filan will lose a fortune on his plush Sligo house
Not only was he an idolised member of Westlife for 13 years - during which they sold 43 million records - but Shane was also lucky in love and wed his childhood sweetheart Gillian Walsh. Despite his fame, he remained grounded and didn't splash the cash too much. The exceptions were his Sligo home and James Bond Aston Martin, which was sold for just under €400,000 at an auction to try and clear his debts. Shane set up his firm Shafin Developments Ltd in 2004 with his brother Finbarr and snapped up several investment opportunities in the west, which were paid for by large bank loans. But the bubble burst and so did Shane's investments, including a planned 90-house estate in Dromahair, Co. Leitrim, and a major housing and office complex in Carraroe, Co. Sligo.
Shane also took out loans for a string of personal investments, including student apartments in Sligo and several rental properties in housing estates. A mortgage was also taken out on a 60-hectare farm near Dromahair, which was bought for €1.3m in 2009. In a further blow, a boutique owned by Shane and his sister Mairead shut in 2009 with losses of €1m. Let's hope that the people Shane are working with in Nashville have the magic touch so he can become a multi-millionaire once again.
Former Westlife star Shane Filan has signed a solo record deal, just months after being declared bankrupt.
The Irish singer has already begun recording his album in Nashville in the US, which will be released by London Records at the end of the year.
His chart-topping group split last year with a series of sell-out stadium shows after a 14-year career during which they notched up 14 UK number one singles.
Filan, 33, was declared bankrupt last summer, only a few days before Westlife bowed out with their farewell show at Dublin's Croke Park. His Irish-registered property company had already gone into receivership, thought to be as a result of the country's economic problems.
Filan said he was excited by his new deal, adding: "One of the things that pleases me the most about this record is that I've been given the opportunity to write my own songs. I'm so excited for people to hear them."
Westlife were noted for the many cover versions they took into the charts.
Filan's bandmate Nicky Byrne was a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing last year, while colleague Kian Egan has been a presenter on ITV's This Morning.
Filan's manager, Louis Walsh, said: "This is a fantastic new deal for Shane."
Shane Filan is going it alone!
The Westlife star has confirmed news that he’s signed a solo record deal and is planning to release his first album later in 2013.
The Irish hunk will be working with record label Universal London and has already started work on the new material, which will be his first since his long running man band split last year.
Shane is looking forward to producing and writing his own songs and said in a statement:
“I am so excited to be joining London Records, Universal Music and being back in the studio in London and Nashville recording new songs has been amazing. One of the things that pleases me the most about this record is that I’ve been given the opportunity to write my own songs. I’m so excited for people to hear them!”
Manager Louis Walsh meanwhile added: “This is a fantastic new deal for Shane, we are thrilled to be part of the team at London Records.”
Filan’s fans reacted very positively to the news and he has been bombarded with encouraging tweets all day. They included:
GAAAH @ShaneFilan IS RELEASING A SINGLE IN SUMMER AND AN ALBUM LATER THIS YEAR, AND HE’S WRITTEN SONGS HIMSELF AND I’M SUPER EXCITED
I hope @ShaneFilan visits down under when his solo career takes off. That’s a concert I wouldn’t want to miss. Can’t wait for the 1st single
@ShaneFilan I can’t wait to actually be blasting Shane’s new single!!! #FilanFiday xx
Shane responded to his fans writing:
“I’m speechless guys !!! Thankyou so much .. Hand about to fall off from RTs Love to every single one of ye? Follow @LondonRecords for news!”
Former Westlife member Shane Filan has signed to London Records as a solo artist.
He's started recording his debut solo album in Nashville as well as the UK. It will be released towards the end of this year.
Shane says ”I am so excited to be joining London Records, Universal Music and being back in the studio in London and Nashville recording new songs has been amazing. One of the things that pleases me the most about this record is that I've been given the opportunity to write my own songs. I’m so excited for people to hear them!”
Louis Walsh, Filan’s manager said: “This is a fantastic new deal for Shane, we are thrilled to be part of the team at London Records.”
London Records President Nick Raphael commented: “We are over the moon to have Shane on our roster. I already feel that the strength of the song writing shows Shane at his most creative."
As part of Westlife, Filan sold over 50 million records worldwide and have accumulated 14 No.1 singles, the third highest in UK history - a feat that won them the accolade of the UK's top-selling album group of the 21st century in 2010
They also won The Record of the Year (the only music award based on public votes in the UK) a record-breaking four times and in 2012, the Official Charts Company listed Westlife 34th amongst the biggest-selling singles artists in British music history.
Filan will release his new album on London Records later in 2013.
Shane Filan from Westlife has signed a solo record deal with London Records and you can expect his debut album by the end of the years. Recording sessions have already kicked off in Nashville but he’s also recording in the UK.
Louis Walsh will manage Shane’s solo career. With over 50 million record sales as part of Westlife, everyone is really excited about hearing the new material as Shane has been writing plenty of songs.
(above) Shane pictured with Jo Charrington, SVP A&R, London Records/ Louis Walsh / Nick Raphael, President, London Records
It's been a good week for Shane Filan, not only has he sold his house but he has signed a new record contract.
The Westlife singer has had more than his fair share of bad luck recently, as he was declared bankrupt after his property development firm went bust.
But now things are on the up again, as the singer has sold one of his properties for almost 1 million Euros at auction. The period home and an adjoining plot of 146 acres of land was purchased by farmer James Irwin for 910,000 Euros. The farmer certainly got a good bargain, as the price was just a tenth of what Shane paid for it only a few years ago during the housing boom.
In a separate sale, Shane's older brother Liam snapped up 3.6 acres of land that is next to Shane's home in Carraroe, County Sligo, for 50,000 Euros. The property itself is still on the market with a value of 900,000 Euros, way below the 3 million Euros Shane paid to build it, and far less than the 10 million Euros he was once offered for it.
The news of the sale came as Shane signed a new contract with London Records to release his first solo material after spending over a decade in Westlife.
Shane says in a statement, "One of the things that pleases me the most about this record is that I've been given the opportunity to write my own songs. I'm so excited for people to hear them!"
It will all come to some relief to Shane, who is believed to have up to 23 million Euros debts. He now lives in England with his family, and it is thought he will clear his bankruptcy debts in June.
If you are still nursing a broken heart from Westlife?s final tour back in 2012, we have some exciting news for you?
Working on solo material is something I had always dreamed of doing Shane Filan - a.k.a the hot one ? is making a comeback! And we have a brand new exclusive video of the singer performing an acoustic version of his track ?Today?s Not Yesterday.?
The song features on the ex-boybander?s new EP, which also includes his debut solo single ?Everything To Me.?
The singer has been working on his solo material since Westlife bid their final farewell to fans with their ?goodbye tour? last year, and says he?d always dreamt of going it alone.
Everything To Me' is a very personal song to me lyrically ?Working on solo material is something I had always dreamed of doing, and I?m incredibly happy with the results,? says Shane.
The new material comes after a rocky year for Shane, who was forced to file for bankruptcy last year when he fell victim to the Irish property crash.
It was a tough time for the 34 year-old who recently revealed the heart-breaking moment he had to refuse his son a £30 toy because the family couldn?t afford it.
He recalled: 'I remember my little fella Patrick looking in a shop window and going: ?Daddy, look at that Spider-Man toy! Can I get that?
Shane pictured with childhood sweetheart Gillian last year ?I looked and it was £29.99. I was like: ?That?s really expensive. We can?t get that now.'
Throughout the tough time, Shane said it was his wife Gillian and their three children, Nicole, 8, Patrick, 5, and three-year-old Shane, who got him through.
Now Shane looks forward to the future and his new solo career.
Speaking about his debut single, which is released on Sunday, Shane says: ??Everything To Me? is a very personal song to me lyrically; it is such an upbeat and optimistic record.?
afbeeldingen - gadgets - weetjes en meer westlife deel 3
No new mum looks like this. It's all fake... admits Jodi Albert as she lashes celeb mothers who starve to lose their baby weight
Posing in sexy patterned stockings and the shortest of short tops, Jodi Albert looked as glamorous ? and as svelte ? as she ever had. Amazingly, the glamorous shoot ? for the portfolio of an up-and-coming fashion photographer friend ? came less than three months after she gave birth to her first baby, son Koa. The online reaction after she tweeted the pictures was phenomenal. Most responses were congratulatory but the undercurrent of envy and, occasionally, despair was impossible to miss. It is this undercurrent, perhaps, that has prompted the actress and singer into a guilty confession. Family: Jodi Albert, with husband Kian Egan and baby son Koa For today, Jodi reveals that the glamorous images were ?not real? ? and insists ?edited? pictures set a false standard that ordinary women cannot possibly live up to. Those celebrities who really do lose weight instantly are ?barely eating? while exercising ?like lunatics?, Jodi says ? and setting an unhealthy and disheartening example. In an exclusive interview with the Irish Mail on Sunday, the former Hollyoaks star says she is determined to tell other mothers that celebrities struggle with losing baby weight too and confesses the pictures of her were ?not reality?. ?I did a fashion photoshoot for a friend and basically she put the pictures on Twitter and they got a bit of a reaction,? she says. ?One of the papers picked up on it, saying that I was winning the fight against the baby bulge. ?But I don?t want women to get disheartened: the shoot was fun but it wasn?t reality. I don?t wake up every morning looking skinny. As someone who has always been honest, I felt like I really had to let them know that I am struggling. It is hard.? Jodi, pictured shortly after giving birth, reveals that the glamorous images were 'not real' - and insists 'edited' pictures set a false standard that ordinary women cannot possibly live up to' The 28-year-old wife of Westlife?s Kian Egan says another recent spread in OK! magazine also made her look unrealistically glamorous. Jodi is seen cuddling up to Kian and baby Koa ? and the new mother looks flawless. She refuses to say which images are airbrushed ? and which are just cleverly lit or angled. ?Let?s say the photographer is very clever; he can change things and he knows what he?s doing,? she said. ?I appreciate that photography flatters sometimes because I have lots of lumps and bumps ? but at the same time, I want to be honest about it to women,? she adds. The actress admits that she has been heavily airbrushed throughout most of her career, saying that she didn?t even recognise herself when she graced the cover of men?s magazine Maxim. ?Most of my pictures have been airbrushed. When I was in Hollyoaks, I didn?t even know what airbrushing was. I started doing these photo shoots for Maxim and I would look at myself and I would think, ?Oh, I look very different. Why do I look so weird?? ?And it was because the photographer airbrushed the s*** out of me. I didn?t even recognise myself any more,? she says. The performer ? who was also a member of now-defunct girl group Wonderland, co-managed by Voice mentor Kian ? was quick to point out that she is not like many other celebrity mothers. She said influential women like Victoria Beckham were starving themselves to lose their baby weight.
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Thats life 2007-12-07
Theyve clocked up 36 million record sales worldwide and only the Beatles and Elvis have had more number ones. This week, Westlife show why they are one of the worlds biggest pop acts when they celebrate eight years of chart success with a live show on ITV1.
Hosted by Holly Willoughby and featuring surprise guests, the show sees the band perform some of their 14 uk number ones, including the five classics that topped a fan poll on itv.com
The group has come along way since Irish schoolfriends Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan first performed together in an amateur version of Grease. Signed by pop manager Louis Walsh,who recruited new members Nicky Byrne and Bryan Mcfadden, the boys secured a record deal with Simon Cowell and are still at the top today, despite the departure of Mcfadden, who quit the band and went solo in 2004,
MARK - LIFE AS I KNOW IT - Mark, 27, is part of chart-topping band Westlife. His partner is former boyband singer Kevin McDaid.
If I could change anything about myself I' have a six-pack. I do go to the gym and I'm trying to get myself in shape, but I'm nowhere near there yet.
The most romantic thing anyone's ever done for me was when my partner, Kevin, got me a massive chocolate chip cookie with "Happy birthday" engraved on it. We were in California and he popped out to the local mall to get it made for me.
Not a lot of people know this, but I'm very good at tennis. When I was at school I played tournaments, but singing gave me even more of a buzz so I gave up sport for rock'n'roll.
To wake myself up I finish my shower with a blast of cold water. That always does the trick.
Last thing at night I always wet my hair to get rid of all the products in it.
When I have time to myself I write songs, but they're for myself rather than for the band.
When I'm feeling down I have to get out and about. I'll go for a walk and head for somewhere busy, like the West End, to take my mind off things.
My best friend is Kevin, and also a lad back home in Ireland who I've known since I was at school.
My "happy place" is when I'm in a room full of friends having a few drinks, chatting and catching up.
The best thing my parents taught me is to have manners. One thing I can't stand is when people don't have the common courtesy to be nice to you.
If I can I always try to avoid confrontation. I've become better at it when I need to stand up for myself, but I'm usually laid back and don't get into arguments.
It's not good for my image but I like crepes with Nutella on them. They're not good for my image because they give me a big fat belly.
If I could pass any law I' stop certain taxes, like when you want to give your parents money and the taxman wants a big chunk of it.
The song I can never get out of my head is Mercy by Duffy. It's so catchy and she has a great voice.
I drive a Mini Cooper and also an Audi Q7 jeep.
If I could be anyone else I'd be Jim Carrey, just to see how he comes up with all those crazy comedy ideas.
My favourite love song is Nothing Compares 2 U, but the original Prince version. His vocals are amazing on it.
When I was a child I wanted to be either Jan-Michael Vincent from Airwolf or Lee Majors in The Six Million Dollar Man.
My biggest regret isI honestly don't have any. I've been very lucky in life and nothing bad has happened so far, touch wood.
My proudest moment was when I heard we'd sold out Croke Park in Dublin. We're playing there in June and the only bands who have sold out the place before us are huge acts like U2 and Bon Jovi.
The shop I can't walk past without buying something is the Vans in Covent Garden. The trainers are so cheap you can buy loads of them.' It's silly how many pairs I have around the house.
The most expensive thing I've ever splashed out on is two portraits of the performance artist Leigh Bowery. They cost me a lot of money but I know they'll be worth even more in the future.
I always laugh at South Park and Shameless, although the latter was better when it first started.
I know I'm having a bad hair day when I've let it grow a bit. Hairdressers say I have the weirdest hair - it goes all over the place and is very unmanageable - so I try to keep it short.
The best day of my life is impossible to say, I've had so many great days, but I remember having a barbecue in Ireland last summer, with all my friends and family around me, and that felt pretty wonderful.
My favourite restaurant is anywhere where they serve Japanese food, like Wagamama and Itsu.
The last film I saw was... The Simpsons Movie. I liked it even better than the IV show.
On my last holiday Kevin and I went to Amsterdam for a weekend recently. It was cold and crisp and it's such a beautiful city to walk around.
My last meal would be my mum's full-on Sunday roast, followed by the biggest lump of chocolate fudge cake imaginable.
For Nicky Byrne, a member of popular Irish pop band Westlife, 2009 has been an annus horribilus.
His good friend, Boyzone member Stephen Gately, 33, died in Majorca in October from an undiagnosed heart condition.
Over the telephone from Ireland, the 31-year-old says quietly: "It was such a huge shock when Stephen died. It was such sad nes because he was so young."
Barely had he dealt with the shock of his friend's death whenhis own father died in November from a heart attack at the ago of 60.
He says: "My dad's death was very sudden and it made me feel that we can never prepare enough for what it going to happen in life. I was very heartbroken and I didn't know what to do but I am trying to move on. My dad was a great father and a great man, and I am sure he would be proud of us now."
Besides personal traumas, Byrne had also been reassessing his life on the professional front.
His band was on a year-long hiatus from mid-2008. The four-member band, which includes Mark Feehily, Kian Egan both 29, and Shane Filan, 30, felt burnt out from work in the past decade and wanted a break.
Byrne says: "There was a risk in taking a break because at the back of our minds, we feared that people would forget us in this fickle-minded music scene. Our fans might end up supporting others but we went ahead and did it because we were so tired nd wanted a good rest."
During their time off, the quartet mostly spent precious time with their families, something they did not have the chance to do in the past.
Byrne says the break was good for the band as they came out of it refreshed and ready to work hard on their 10th album, Where We Are, which was released last November.
And the band think the album of catchy pop tunes and love ballads is their best in a decade-long career that has seen them selling more than 40 million albums.
Byrne, a father of fraternal three-year-old twin boys, says: "We felt pressured to do well and meet high expectations for our new album because of our previous albums' good results. We wanted the album to be an indication of where we are after 10 years and we wanted it to feel special again.
"We also wanted the album to reflect how much we have matured over the years and we used inspiration from our daily lives to put together this album."
Glad to be leaving 2009 behind and starting 2010 afresh, the chatty singer reveals that the band will be embarking on their world tour this year, starting from Europe before coming to Asia.
He says: "I am excited and looking forward to that and I think 2010 will be a brighter and better year."
He also reveals the secret to stayin popular after so many years on the scene: "It is mainly committment to hard work and getting along well as a group. We definitely worked hard for our success today."
But he does no know how long the band can go on, adding: "We don't know, but we are taking it an album at a time. We have come a long way and I hope we can continue to go on for a long time."
He promises Singapore fans that they will come here this year. The last time the quartet performed here was 2006.
He adds: "Singapore has been very nice to us and it is definitely on the map for our world tour 2010. Meanwhile, check out our latest album and we'll see you guys soon."
After 12 years, Westlife are still one of the biggest boy bands around but as they're settling down and having kids you'd be forgiven for thinking it could all be coming to an end. Not if their fans have anything to do with it though...
On being heart throbs in their 30s and playing for crazy fans...
One of the most successful boy bands ever, Irish heartthrobs Westlife have been around for years.
They've had a drama or two along the way not to mention their fill of snotty critics but none of that matters with legions of die-hard fans.
With a cool 44million album sales and in the middle of their 11th tour across the UK and Ireland, the boys Nicky Byrne, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Shane Filan know who they're trying to please, and it certainly ain't their critics.
The fans are fantastic, grins Shane, 31. The banter we have with them from the stage is one of the best things about touring. Most have grown up with us, so you expect them to calm down as they get older.
But the older they get, the madder they are.
And it seems the fans don't care too much about the boys wholesome image. Some of the banners we can see from the stage are hilarious, laughs Nicky, 32. You name it, they write it, and when you think it could be some woman in her 50s holding it up, it's so funny.
We even had the very subtle Ride me Shane!. They're hilarious. I picked the girl out of the crowd and said to her You don't f*** about do you sweetheart? Brilliant.
With so many millions of women convinced the lads are dreamboats, do their own other halves swoon every time they see them?
Hardly! laughs Nicky, who is married to Georgina Ahern, daughter of the former Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.
She sees me first thing in the morning and last thing at night, warts and all. The whole swooning thing would end very quickly if people saw what I'm really like!
On temptation on tour and staying out of trouble...
With each of the guys in a solid relationship Nicky with wife Georgina, Shane with wife Gillian, Kian with actress wife Jodi Albert and Mark engaged to partner Kevin McDaid how do they manage to keep themselves on the straight and narrow when they're off working for weeks at a time?
Well for a start, our other halves are on tour with us a lot of the time! laughs Mark, 30. That takes away some of the temptation! But even without that, you just got to trust each other.
Unfortunately people falter from time to time, but that's life. Even if someone goes off to work in the morning and comes back at 6pm, you still don't know for sure.
After the spate of stars caught out cheating last year including fellow boy band stars Ronan Keating and Mark Owen do the lads feel more on their guard?
Life's hard enough without constantly worrying about keeping out of trouble, says Nicky. I think if you really love your other half you be alright and you do your best. But these things are just human error too.
On feeling homesick and balancing fame with family life...
As much as the guys love life on the road and their sell-out arena gigs, they admit being away from home for weeks on end can be tough.
When you're starting out in a band, the tour part is what you dream of, says Kian, 30. it's always been one of the best bits. But after a while it's hard getting up every morning when you're not in your own bed.
You want to be able to make your own cup of tea and a slice of toast, but you're in a hotel, living out of a suitcase. People think it's all glitz but sometimes you want to be at home!
Dad-of-three Shane agrees. In fact, he's managed to arrange work (and a private plane) so he can fly home a couple of days a week to see his family.
Touring the UK is totally do-able now with the family, he says. Around the world over the years has been more difficult, but now I get home for a night here and there in the week.
For now, Nicky's managing because his three-year-old twin boys Rocco and Jay can still join him on tour. This will probably be the last time before they start big school, he says. It's amazing having them there, and last year they came up on stage. But being a dad has given me a different outlook we're not kids anymore. You know it's not just a laugh, you got a proper goal and your family's on your mind the whole time.
On fatherhood and following in Elton John's footsteps...
With two of his bandmates already doting dads, Mark, who came out in the Daily Mirror in 2005, says he would love to become a father one day.
Becoming a father is one of the biggest things you could ever do, he says. I love to think I'll be in a place one day to have a kid, 100%. I;m not saying I'm planning to have kids right now, but they'll definitely be part of my life.
It's always something I've been sure of since I was 14 or 15. Even knowing I was gay and before I came out I knew I love to be a father. You know the way you think things like When I have a kid, I'll tell them this, or take them there, or whatever.
And after Elton John and David Furnish had their son Zachary with a surrogate mother last year, has Mark given any thought to how he like to do it?
I would take some serious time to look into all the options, he says. Everybody's got their own circumstances, so there's no simple answer about what's going to be right for you or the kid.
I like to think I'd be a good dad. It's the dream for me that surpasses everything else, to nurture and bring up a kid and try and teach them all the right things.
But before all that, Mark and fiance Kevin have to tie the knot. We're not one of those wham bam couples that need to rush into everything, says Mark. We're best friends and we live together and we're going to get married soon. I can't wait but we haven't finalised the date.
On controversial old friends, and what's to become of Westlife...
For years the biggest boy band around, Westlife were scuppered a bit by Take That's phenomenal comeback, and then again by their reunion with Robbie Williams last year.
But would Westlife think about welcoming old bandmate Brian McFadden back into the fold?
I don't see Brian ever coming back, says Kian. He left because he was unhappy, so why would he come back? He didn't like what we do.
To be honest, our relationship is much better now he's away from Westlife. He's just difficult at times. He might decide one day to not turn up at the studio or not come to a meeting and it was hard. Brian's not a bad person, there's not a bad bone in his body, but he's hard work.
Some of the others are a little more forgiving. Whatever happened it wouldn't have the same impact as Take That and Robbie anyway, says Nicky. We didn't have a huge fall out like they did, Brian didn't go off the rails, into rehab, and become the biggest pop star on the planet. We didn't break up for years before the biggest comeback in history.
But I love to get Brian back in the studio. The other lads will probably kill me for saying it, but I genuinely believe it's an option down the line.
We had an amazing 12 years, and if you told me 10 years ago we still be doing tours and selling out arenas I wouldn't have believed you. We have to thank our lucky stars but I don't think we'll be around in another 12 if I'm honest. Not at this pace anyway.
CHERYL Cole had to apologise to Westlife Mark Feehily after insulting his band in a row with their manager Louis Walsh.
On Saturday Cheryl urged band JLS not to become like Westlife not knowing Mark was in the studio watching.
Louis, 56, shot back: Westlife have had more hits than you.
A source said: Louis took Mark to Cheryl dressing room and made her apologise. She was embarrassed and looked like she wanted the ground to swallow her.
Nicky's Surprise birthday gift to dad 05 Jan 2009 by Villy
Westlife star Nicky Byrne managed to reduce his dad to tears at the weekend, when he surprised him with a Harley Davidson motorbike.
The popstar and his family threw a huge bash to celebrate dad Nicky Snrs 60th birthday in the Regency Hotel in Dublins Whitehall on Saturday night.
More than 200 friends and family were there to see Nicky blindfold his dad before revealing the extravagant gift. Bike lover Nicky Snr a well known musician and singer on the cabaret scene dissolved into tears of joy at the sight of the dream bike.
"This is the ultimate motorbike for anyone that knows their bikes" said a source "It was the last thing he expected."
Nicky's dad was also thrilled by live performances by stars such as Sonny Knowels and Aslan at the belated bash.
He actually turned 60 at the beginning of December but Nicky and wife Georgina were away at the time so they held it at the weekend instead.
The bowled over dad was surrounded by other family including wife Yvonne, daughter Gillian and younger son Adam.
Source: Irish Star
Thursday October 08 2009
She boasts a bulging designer wardrobe most fashionistas would kill for, but not even red-carpet regular Georgina Ahern knew what to wear to the biggest VIP bash of the year.
The Dublin mum-of-two has revealed her famous hubbie Nicky Byrne came to her rescue when she faced the inevitable crisis of choosing the perfect ensemble for Simon Cowell's A-list birthday party.
The Westlife crooner narrowly saved his wife of six years from experiencing a Cinderella-like fashion disaster by hitting the shops to buy her a dress just two hours before the bash kicked off.
Gorgeous Georgina wowed onlookers at the X Factor judge's star-studded 50th birthday party by stepping out in a jewel-embellished silver dress, which was a last-minute present from Nicky.
A friend of the couple, who are parents to two-year-old twins Rocco and Jay, told the Herald: "Nicky picked it up for her in a boutique in London about two hours before the party."
The short-sleeved designer frock is certain to have set the chart-topping star back a few bob, given that world-famous glamazons Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and Cheryl Cole were just some of the other couture lovers contending for the unofficial title of best-dressed guest at the lavish event.
Georgina kept her long hair and diamond accessories simple and understated to let the glitzy frock stand out.
Westlife manager Louis Walsh claimed the group "stole the show" after performing at the party.
But it wasn't all work as the friend revealed the band, who were all accompanied by their wives and partners, had a great time.
"They had a really great time and Westlife performed two songs at the party," she added.
Georgina, who has not yet returned from Britain since last Saturday's party, is believed to have had a different ensemble ready for the event, but it seems she couldn't resist wearing the unexpected eye-catching gift from her husband.
The friend hinted it's not the first time Nicky has bagged his wife some crowd-pleasing clobber, so perhaps he deserves the credit for her fashionista status.
"He has good taste; he always has," the friend added.
Meanwhile, Georgina and Nicky are still recovering from the party by enjoying some downtime in Britain.
The friend said: "They are still over there because Westlife are doing a few bits and pieces in the studio."
29th October 2009
Westlife are hoping to catch the World Cup while touring
WESTLIFE are aiming to combine their love of football with touring next summer.
The Irish heart-throbs hope a visit to the World Cup will be on the cards during their six-month road trip.
We will tour more next year and go places we haven't been much like South Africa said Shane Filan, 30.
That way we can cheer on Ireland at the World Cup.
But that's only if the Irish beat France to qualify.
Kian Egan, 29, added: We play better against good teams so I'm sure we get through.
Tracklist dvd: 1 Hit you with the real thing 2 World of our own 3 Something right 4 What makes a man 5 Uptown girl 6 Easy way 7 If I let you go 8 Mandy 9 Blame it on the boogie 10 Get down on it 11 I'm your man 12 Let me entertain you 13 Already there 14 Unbreakable 15 Queen of my heart 16 Fool again 17 Catch my breath 18 Home 19 Us against the world 20 Swear it again
Westlife Debut Music Video for Single 'Safe' November 2010
While Kian Egan comes to Mark Feehily's rescue, Shane Fillan and Nicky Byrne save women from getting beaten and committing suicide. Westlife save people in a music video. Shane Fillan stands up for a woman when her boyfriend is about to lay a hand on her, Nicky Byrne prevents another female from jumping off the rooftop, and Kian Egan helps Mark Feehily in a car accident.
"There's a bit of acting for us to be doing and we're getting involved in all different scenes," Shane said in an interview with OK! Magazine. "We're kind of flipping the word safe and making it 'unsafe' - trying to stop people from being 'unsafe.' We're the heroes - although we don't have cloaks (laughs). It's real life stories put into a video."
All the scenes in the "Safe" music video, including the car accident, were done without any stuntman. "It was the most fun we have had shooting a video," Mark shared to the Daily Star. "We wanted to do the stunts ourselves and management let us."
The song is taken from the boyband's new album "Gravity" which is due November 23 in the United States.
Kian Egan - Kian Egan And Jodi Albert Want Baby Daughter 20 March 2012 11:00:11 AM
Kian Egan And Jodi Albert Want Baby Daughter
Kian Egan and Jodi Albert want a little girl to complete their family following the birth of son Koa in December.
The Westlife singer and the former 'Hollyoaks' actress are closer than ever following the birth of their son Koa in December and would love to give him a sister in the future.
Kian said: ''A little girl would melt my heart now but every man likes the idea of having a little boy. I'm looking forward to taking him surfing, golfing - he's going to be an outdoorsy little dude. But we do want a little girl, hopefully next time.
''I think no matter how many boys we have, we'll keep going until we have a girl too!''
Jodi added to OK! magazine: ''Kian has said he wants four children but I don't know about that. If he's putting the pressure of four on me, I'm going to put the pressure of a girl on him. I've got my little boy. I want girl next but not any time soon.''
Kian also revealed Westlife manager Louis Walsh - who doesn't have any kids of his own - has surprised him by his interest in the baby.
He said: ''Louis hasn't seen the baby yet but he does continuously ask about him, which is so sweet. Louis doesn't strike you as the type of person to talk about children much, yet he's asking loads about Koa. Maybe he's getting soft in his old age.''
Kian is preparing for Westlife's final tour and admitted he and Jodi are looking forward to taking some time off to travel the world with Koa.
He said: ''Jodi and I would like to get back to the sunshine and spend some time travelling and living a lifestyle that we haven't lived in a few years. We'd love Koa to see the world, having a baby really puts things into perspective.''
LUXURY Kian and Jodi?s Sligo home is designed around surfing themes
THIS is the beautiful new seaside pad of Voice of Ireland judge Kian Egan. The Westlife star's luxurious bungalow in surfing town, Strandhill, Co. Sligo boasts stunning views of the surrounding sea and mountains. It is located in a scenic spot at the foot of Knocknarea Mountain, yet can be clearly seen from the main road. Kian (31) who previously owned a modest dwelling in the same area, recently moved into this spectacular house with his beautiful wife Jodi Albert (28) and their three-month old baby boy, Koa. The five-bedroom love-nest is modest in size compared to band mate Shane Filan's ?1.5m two-story country mansion nearby in Carraroe.
Despite their massive wealth, Kian and Jodi, who wed in Barbados in 2009 and also have a property in London, decided to opt for a singlestorey residence that blends in with the local landscape. Kian, who is currently battling it out on The Voice Of Ireland, revealed recently that his new dream home took four years for the couple to design, and they are delighted to have finally moved in. "It's a big house with lots of small rooms," Jodi explains. "I'm not from a wealthy background, so I didn't want the rooms to be too big." The home's décor reflects Kian's love of surfing. It is open-plan, with lots of imported Indonesian furniture, while huge windows provide plenty of light. Friends say they wanted to create a laid-back, chillout zone to unwind in. The impressive kitchen was custom-made and features Asian fretwork doors with distressed antique mirrors. Kian said that becoming parents had brought the happy couple closer together. "We've never argued much, but the things we used to argue about before are out the window now. We have a good routine going on and we're just so much in love." Doting mum Jodi said: "When you have a baby it goes to a whole new level. I didn't think I could love Kian any more, but I do.." The couple named their son, Koa, after the Hawaiian Koa Tree. "Some of the best surfboards are made from its wood, so when Koa was born it just suited him and our little vibe as a family" says Kian. "Koa means bold, brave and fearless. Koa's a chilled out little dude, we're very lucky," said Jodi. But Kian also reveals that there is an element of sadness after the group he co-managed with Louis Walsh,Wonderland, which featured Jodi, was disbanded after it flopped. "My heart was broken at the end of Wonderland," he admits. "I gave my heart and soul to that band and put in a huge amount of my own finances, time and effort. It became quite thankless in the end." Conor McTernan
Nicky Say's.
I never thought that west life play two nights at Lansdowne road to 80,000 people. My favourite west life moment was meeting the pope and our dads performing on our T.V show she's the one. The other's would say that I'm the longest in the shower. My favourite west life track is world of our own. My favourite west life video is world of our own When I m not working I like to spend time with my wife and walk our little pups My motto is smile, enjoy life, live every day like its your last. I would describe myself as thoughtful, reliable and trustworthy. The phase I often use is Le Gra( With Love in Irish).
Nicky Byrne insists Mary Byrne is NOT his aunt
Nicky Byrne set the cat among the pigeons earlier this month, when he claimed on Twitter that X Factor finalist Mary Byrne was actually his aunt.
The Westlife singer tried to retract the joke soon after but has admitted that many fans, followers and journalists swallowed the story hook, line and sinker.
He told BANG Showbiz: I was watching X Factor the first live show I think and I was tweeting. I just put something like Good luck to my auntie Mary, she's my favourite auntie,%u2019 in a p**stake, sarcastic kind of way.
I did see a lot of feedback coming back, not your average person who replies but I was getting journalists coming back to me going No way, is this true? So I was looking at all of this going Oh f**k, this isn't good, I better fix it!
His manager and Mary's X Factor mentor Louis Walsh was dragged into the furore, when journalists started interrogating him about the story.
He said: I actually tweeted no just for the record she's not my auntie, but that didn't seem to do the job. Then Louis called me the next day to ask what was going on. He actually forwarded me a text from a journalist saying If this is true and you haven't told us before Louis, we need to f**king know about it.
Needless to say Nicky and Mary are NOT related as far as he knows but he isn't ruling the possibility out altogether.
He said: She f**king could be if you look back down the bloodline, she's from Dublin, she's from Ballyfermot, my dad's from Cabra, which is not far away.
Mark Feehily's Jet Ski Drama
Irish singer Mark Feehily was once stranded in the middle of a lake for two terrifying hours after his jet ski malfunctioned.
The Westlife star often takes to the water for fun trips with friends, but one journey turned into a nightmare after a rope got "stuck" and jammed the engine of his vehicle.
Feehily was left stranded away from the shore until his father contacted a local search team - and the singer has commended the work of his rescuers.
He tells Britain's The One Show, "I have (been rescued). I have a jet ski and sometimes I take it out on a lake. We kind of have one of those inflatable things - other people sit on it and pull it and it's a lot of fun, but the rope for that got stuck up in the engine in the jet ski and we ended up getting stranded for two and a half hours on the lake.
"It started to get dark and very worrying and very cold but luckily I brought my mobile phone with me. Everyone said, 'Don't bring it, it'll get wet!' Luckily I did because if I didn't I wouldn't have been able to call my dad and he went off and got somebody, a local search and rescue team. You don't appreciate it until something like that happens, you realise these people are just waiting (to help)."
In an interview with the Mirror Feehily, who came out in 2005, said: "Becoming a father is one of the biggest things you could ever do. I'd love to think I'll be in a place one day to have a kid, 100%. I'm not saying I'm planning to have kids right now, but they'll definitely be part of my life.
"It's always something I've been sure of since I was 14 or 15. Even knowing I was gay and before I came out I knew I'd love to be a father. You know the way you think things like 'When I have a kid, I'll tell them this, or take them there', or whatever."
Asked if he had given any thought to how the couple might become parents, Feehily replied: "I would take some serious time to look into all the options. Everybody's got their own circumstances, so there's no simple answer about what's going to be right for you or the kid.
"I'd like to think I'd be a good dad. It's the dream for me that surpasses everything else, to nurture and bring up a kid and try and teach them all the right things."
Asked about his other future plans with McDaid, Feehily replied: "We're best friends and we live together and we're going to get married soon. I can't wait but we haven't finalised the date."
was today unveiled as the grand marshal of this year’s St Patrick’s Festival Parade.
A native of Baldoyle in Dublin, Byrne was chosen by festival organisers for his “outstanding contribution to the entertainment industry” and will have a lead role in the festival parade on Sunday, March 17th.
Each year the St Patrick’s festival board honours one or more persons for their achievements and contribution to Irish life with the title of grand marshal. Previous grand marshals include Katie Taylor, Johnny Giles, Ronny Drew and Micheál Ó Muircheartaigh.
Mr Byrne said he was honoured to be chosen for the role. “My best memories of St Patrick’s Day were when I was a child and going to all the parades. In the past 13 or 14 years with Westlife I’ve only been home for one St Patrick’s Day. As a Northside lad it’s an honour to be grand marshal in the Dublin parade.”
Nicky Byrne is married to Bertie Ahern’s daughter Georgina. The couple have twin five-year-old sons, Jay and Rocco.
“St Patrick’s Day as a kid for me was a time when you got new clothes, got your shamrock on, your Tricolour in your hand, and headed in to the parade. I’d sit up on my dad’s shoulders and watch the floats go by. My kids are really excited that I’m going to be grand marshal this year so they can’t wait,” he said.
Acting chief executive of St Patrick’s Festival Edelle Moss said Byrne is a “great ambassador” for Ireland.
The theme of this year’s parade is “Great Things Happen When We Get Together” as part of the Gathering celebrations.
This year, the greatest ever number of overseas participants will take part in a “People’s Parade” which will see participants from all over the world take part in the festivities.
“I Love My City”, the festival’s culture programme, includes 16 free headline events staged in Dublin over the five days of the festival.
To pre-register for I Love My City or for more information on the festival, see stpatricksfestival.ie.
the celebrations and have his family watching as he drives up Dublin's O'Connell Street during the parade.
"This is something completely out of my comfort zone.
I was lucky enough with Westlife to have
some amazing gigs around the world,
but to be sitting in a car in front of half-a-million people,
when there's no rulebook on that – you can't really prepare.
But I'm looking forward to it."
The St Patrick's Day parade this year is billed as the People's Parade, as part of The Gathering festival. Some 8,000 people from around the world have been invited to march.
Byrne said the event will be one of nostalgia.
"During the last 14 years with Westlife I was only home for one St Patrick's Day, so to get involved in the festival this year is a real honour – especially as a Dublin lad who would've got off the train at Connolly Station every year to come up to O'Connell Street with mum and dad," said the 33-year-old, speaking at the announcement yesterday.
Last night we attended the relaunch party where we spotted Nicky Byrne hanging out with Euro Song hopeful Kasey Smith who's dead keen to represent Ireland this year with her 'Kiss Me There' single under the stewardship of Mairead Farrell. We're hoping she has more luck with her than she did with Kian Egan's Wonderland... Remember them?
Westlife's Nicky Byrne is this year's grand marshall of the parade.
Nicky Byrne may have sold millions of albums and swept us off our feet on Strictly Come Dancing, but now he is in for the biggest honour yet as he marshals the St Patrick's Day parade.
The Westlife singer has been granted the honour of Grand Marshal for the parade in Dublin on 17 March 2013 and will be following in the footsteps of the likes of John Giles, Ronnie Drew and Katie Taylor.
Speaking at the announcement of his key role in the parade, Dublin-born Nicky said he was feeling very proud to have been offered the part, but admitted he was full of nerves and excitement about having to do something so completely different to his day job.
The organisers of the event decided Nicky was perfect for the honour, thanks to his contribution to the entertainment industry through his time in Westlife and his shimmying in Strictly.
The 34 year old said, "I've always tried my best to fly our flag around the world in all the amazing places I've been to with Westlife, so to be asked to play such a poignant role on our national holiday is special."
He added, "I have my memories of sitting on my dad’s shoulders on St Patrick’s Day in years gone by on O’Connell Street trying to catch a glimpse of all the floats passing by in the Dublin Parade. So as a very, very proud Dubliner this will definitely be one to tell the grandchildren about."
Once the main part of the day is over, Nicky will still have plenty of work to do as he has also been tasked with hosting the highlights show, which will be broadcast the following day.
This year, the event has been given the title of the People's Parade and is hosted as part of The Gathering festival, a massive celebration of Irish culture and life. Over 8,000 people from all over the world have been invited to take part in the procession, not to mention all the people who will come down to watch. That's an awful lot of people for Nicky to marshal over!
FORMER Westlife star Nicky Byrne admits that he rarely watches his ex-bandmate Kian Egan on the The Voice.
But while he has no interest in mentoring music acts, he said he would like to try his hand at more presenting.
"I haven't seen much of it (The Voice), but as far as I know he (Kian) is doing well," Nicky told the Herald.
"Presenting has always been something that I have loved, but in terms of mentoring acts, I'm not sure that's for me.
"I have heard FM104's skit in the morning with him and Bressie, so I always have a little giggle at that," he added.
As well as lighting up our screens on Strictly Come Dancing, the 34-year-old Dubliner also enjoyed a presenting gig on Football's Next Star.
And just this week,
he hosted a one-off episode on
RTE depicting Dublin's St Patrick's Day festivities,
during which he took on the role of Grand Marshall.
While he can't see himself
handing down advice to nervous hopefuls anytime soon,
for the live shows in the 02 and to work with Nicky.
“This series brings together
Irelands best songwriters and artists
to work together and
I know it will make gripping viewing.”
Audience tickets for The Hit will be available to buy shortly.
The show, which originated in RTÉ’s Format Farm project,
will see songwriters pitch
their songs to two established
music stars over five weeks,
in the hope that they will pick their song.
In the final week, the five songs will be performed before
the winning show, The Hit, is chosen.
The show will feature five-time Grammy-award winning producer Steve Lillywhite who will be tasked with picking the songs before they are pitched to the performers.
Ultimately though the audience will decide as the final two songs each week are available for download and the one with the most downloads secures a place in the final.
Credit/Source: rte.ie
Former Westlife star Nicky Byrne will make his BBC Radio Ulster presenting debut this weekend as he fills in for his old friend Gerry Kelly.
Nicky, who last year took part in the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, will guest present on Gerry’s Saturday afternoon programme on September 21.
Over the 90-minute programme, Nicky will be inviting some celebrity friends along for a chat, including Moya Brennan from Clannad, playing plenty of great music and inviting listeners to get in touch with him.
Nicky says: “I’ve always enjoyed radio and this was another big opportunity to present. Gerry Kelly has always been good to Westlife and I jumped at the chance of stepping in for him for the day. Westlife had a fantastic relationship with Northern Ireland and I’ve great memories of visiting the Odyssey many times, so it’s good to get on the local airwaves and if there are still any Westlife fans out there, call in and we’ll have a laugh.”
Gerry Kelly says: "I was chatting to Nicky yonks ago and he was saying how, after Westlife, he'd like to do more radio and television work so when we were thinking of someone to sit in for me on my BBC Radio Ulster programme, I thought he was the man for the job. I texted him to see if he'd be interested and he was delighted to take me up on it. And, of course, Nicky loves to come up to Belfast as often as possible so it's a win-win. Just don't get too comfortable there, Nicky, I'll be back soon enough!"
Nicky Byrne is a dad again
Former Westlife singer turned The Hit presenter Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina are celebrating the birth of their third child.
The couple’s daughter, Gia, was born this morning [Wednesday].
Writing on Twitter, Byrne said: “Our beautiful Baby Girl Gia was born today at 10:30am. She is absolutely beautiful, just like her mommy! We are thrilled Nico, G, Rocco & Jay.”
The couple’s twin sons, Rocco and Jay, are aged six.
Jodi Albert posts adorable pictures of son Koa on her blog
What a cutie! Proud mum Jodi Albert posts adorable pictures of son Koa on her blog
..She gave birth six months ago and Jodi Albert is completely smitten with her gorgeous son.
The stunning former Hollyoaks actress and her Westlife singer spouse Kian Egan are the proud parents to baby Koa who could surely compete for title of cutest celebrity baby. Jodi posted pictures on her blog of the six-month old cutie, entitled My Dude, and even the hardest of hearts would find it difficult not to coo over the tot.
What a cutie! Jodie Albert posted pictures of her and Kian Egan's gorgeous son Koa on her tumblr page In the series of pictures, Koa, who has gorgeous dark blue eyes is decked out in a Little Man hat, red and navy striped top and eschews the traditional bib in favour of skull print bandana. In one photograph he even wears an adorable pair of red sunglasses as he pouts into the camera. He chews on his bottle in a series of the snaps and is cuddled by his adoring daddy in another as he breaks out into a huge smile. Meanwhile, Jodi is preparing for a fun-filled weekend as Kian and Westlife prepare for their final concerts in Dublin’s Croke Park.
Time to say goodbye: Jodi is preparing to help her husband Kian Egan say goodbye to his time in Westlife this weekend The boyband will bow out after an extraordinarily successful 15-year-career with a series of sold out shows in their native Ireland and Jodi is ready to help them party. She posted a picture of herself on her blog with a glass of champagne and the caption ‘Oh yes the champers is coming out this weekend in FORCE BABY!!!!!’ It’s hard to believe it is only six months since she gave birth as even though Jodi is wearing an oversize sweater in the photo and a pair of ripped jeans, it is evident she has quickly regained her pre-pregnancy figure.
Jodi often posts pictures of her adorable son Koa on her blog Jodi – who is happy to let Kian be the main breadwinner for now after her girl group Wonderland split up – loves reaching out to other mothers on her blog and comparing stories. She said: ‘I think the best thing that has happened to me since having a baby is the connection I actually feel with other mums who have been through the same thing. I am never stuck for conversation with other mums. ‘I talk about stretch marks, that my boobs are dropping a little bit and I can chat and chat about it all day.
This weekend Jodi will help Kian say goodbye to his Westlife days as he and the band bow out after 15 years at the top
LOUIS Walsh has revealed he hopes to see Westlife back on the stage - despite revelations by Nicky Byrne that the foursome fought like cats and dogs.
The 33-year-old singer, who is competing in Strictly Come Dancing, said after 14 years it was right for the band to go their separate ways.
"We battered each other, obviously not physically, but we argued like hell. Probably more so in the latter years," he said.
But Louis has revealed how he hopes fans haven't seen the last of Nicky, Shane Filan (33), Mark Feehily (32) and Kian Egan (32).
The X Factor judge said he reckons they will take to the stage again -- but in ten years time.
"I'm not looking for any band to replace Westlife because that's just not going to happen," he told the Herald.
"Hopefully in 10 years time they will be back touring."
Nicky Bryne reveals secrets of Wedstlife ?hell? split
Fourteen years ... the lads, Shane Nicky, Mark and Kian enjoy success By AOIFE BANNON Published: 18th September 2012 0 NICKY Byrne has revealed how the final days of Westlife were marred by in-fighting. The former boyband star, 33, has now landed a coveted role on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
But he confessed he has no regrets about Westlife coming to an end earlier this summer.
In fact, he believes the time was right for the band to call it a day.
Speaking about his 14 years with Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, Nicky said: ?We?d done it all, we?d the best times and the worst times. Battered each other ? obviously not physically ? but argued like hell.
?Probably more so in the latter years but that?s part of relationships, isn?t it? We had a laugh. We earned a few quid. We weren?t unique, but what was unique was that we lasted so long. I don?t know how we did it!?
Westlife with Coventry great, great grandmother Alice Byrne Coventry’s coolest great, great grandmother Alice Byrne - Boy George tweets about her on Twitter and Westlife mention her name on stage.
She is a 94-year-old rock ‘n’ roller who can be spotted backstage at top rock venues chatting away with celebrities.
The Coundon pensioner even told Westlife off when she met them backstage at their NEC LG concert last month.
She greatly amused the Irish pop stars by telling them she had missed her bingo to come to see them in concert and hoped it would be worth it.
Singer Mark Feehily later urged the NEC crowd to give Alice a loud cheer because she had sacrificed her weekly bingo session specially to see them.
The band also posed for photos with Alice backstage and her family reckons she was one of the oldest concert-goers at the arena.
But the music-loving pensioner is no stranger to meeting the rich and famous and loves her showbusiness jaunts.
The mother-of-three has nine grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild called Chloe.
Born in Dublin in 1918, she moved to Coventry with her family in the 1950s.
Her eldest great grandchild is Daniel Lismore arranges Alice’s A-list invites.
He was described by Vogue as “London’s most outrageous dresser” and now holds some of London’s top party nights and is creative director of new fashion label Sorapol.
Patricia, one of Alice’s daughters, said: “Daniel loves his Nan and often invites her to join him for special nights.
In a recent interview, R-Patz was asked which boy band he’d rather be a member of — One Direction or Westlife!
Robert responded with:
“Westlife, definitely. Westlife are one of my favorite bands. I actually don’t know any songs that One Direction have done. I’ve just seen pictures of them.”
Westlife, definitely," answered Pattinson, adding, "Westlife are one of my favorite bands
Louis Walsh has accepted €500,000 (£404,000) in libel damages from the Sun after it published a false story claiming he had sexually assaulted a man in a Dublin night-spot.
Walsh, the X Factor judge and Westlife manager, sued Sun publisher News Group Newspapers (NGN) – part of News International – in the Irish high court, seeking aggravated and exemplary damages for the story published on 23 June 2011 with the headline "Louis probed over 'sex attack' on man in loo'". NGN will also pay Walsh's legal costs of €180,000.
The story originated from the Dublin-based Irish edition of the Sun, but was also published in the paper's main UK edition.
Unemployed dance teacher Leonard Watters was jailed for six months in July for wrongly accusing Walsh of groping him in the celebrity nightclub Krystle after a Westlife concert in April 2011.
Eoin McCullough, senior counsel for NGN, read a statement to the high court in Dublin on Wednesday morning apologising to Walsh.
"The Sun published an article in its editions of 23 June 2011, in which we reported that Louis Walsh was being investigated in relation to a sexual assault on Leonard Watters," he said.
"In fact, it transpired that Leonard Watters had made a false statement to [Irish police force] An Garda Siochána, and he has since been convicted in relation to this matter.
"The Sun fully accepts that the alleged assault did not occur in the first place and Louis Walsh is entirely innocent of any such assault.
"The Sun unreservedly apologises to Louis Walsh for any distress caused to him as a result of our article."
Walsh's lawyer, Paul Tweed, said: "This is a prime example of what we would look to see come out of Leveson. We are not trying to gag the press or stop investigations, but if there was a strong body that we could have rung before to get them to stop the story for 24 hours, we could have provided proof that Louis wasn't even in the place at the time and all this would have been avoided. They gave us just a few hours, they were determined to run it."
Speaking outside the high court in Dublin, Walsh said he was "relieved" it was all over, but added that he would never get over the traumatic experience.
"Nobody should write lies," he said. "No amount of pleading could stop them [from publishing]."
Walsh said he had told Gordon Smart, editor of the Sun's Bizarre showbiz column, the night before publication that the allegations he groped Watters were false.
"Gordon Smart called me and said 'you could be nicked for this'. I told him it was not true; it was totally totally not true, but they still ran the story," Walsh said. "It has been a very traumatic experience for me. I will never get over it."
In a statement read on the steps of Dublin's Four Courts, Walsh added: "I am very satisfied with this total vindication for me, but I remain very angry at the treatment at the hands of the Sun.
"I was absolutely gutted and traumatised that these allegations against me should have been published, particularly as I had made it clear at the time there was not one iota of truth in them, and was totally bewildered who would have made up this type of story."
He said although the perpetrator of the false allegation had been jailed, "this didn't stop the story going around world" because the Sun had published its story.
The story threatened to end Walsh's career as a manager of bands including Westlife and Boyzone, as well as his TV career as a judge on The X Factor.
"No amount of money will compensate for what I have gone through," he said. "This has had a terrible effect on me guys. It was all lies.
Westlife's Shane and Mark land solo record deals .Westlife's Shane and Mark land solo record deals
.The post-Westlife phase of their careers has well and truly begun for Shane Filan and Mark Feehily. It was only yesterday that we reported that Filan is considering making an assault on the Eurovision as a way to launch his solo career and hopes to release his first material early in the New Year. Meanwhile, his cohort Mark Feehily has signed a deal with Paul McCartney's manager, according to reports in today's The Sun.
Since Westlife's split after 14 years together, its members have been enjoying various forms of success - mostly in television. Nicky Byrne has appeared as a contestant on UK TV show Strictly Come Dancing, while Kian Egan was a guest on the Irish version of The Voice.
dec 2012 Westlife's Shane Filan has reportedly signed a record deal to kick-off his solo career.
The Sun said that the singer has been snapped up by London Records and is already working on a debut album, to be released next year.
His former bandmate Mark Feehily is also set to get his own deal, The Sun reported, after taking on Sir Paul McCartney's manager.
The Irish boyband split up this summer after 14 years together in which they notched up 14 number one singles and a string of hit albums.
Since then, Nicky Byrne waltzed onto Strictly Come Dancing but got booted off earlier this month and recently confessed he'd love to get into acting.
Kian Egan has done stints as a TV presenter on This Morning and The Xtra Factor and a coach on The Voice of Ireland.
THE wife of Strictly Come Dancing hunk Nicky Byrne has been keeping very close tabs on her husband. But not because Georgina, daughter of former Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is worried the Westlife star is getting too close to dance partner Karen Hauer.
Nicky, 34, laughed and said: “My wife is loving it and taking the mickey out of me.
“She says she constantly has to watch that my fake tan isn’t as dark as hers. When your wife is saying that you know you’ve got to be careful.”
Of course, Nicky is best known for massive-selling boyband Westlife, who called time after 14 years together in June.
During their time at the top, as well as 14 No 1 singles they also performed 27 sell-out shows at Wembley Arena in 10 years, shifting 250,000 tickets and making them the venue’s most successful pop band.
They sang one song at the venue for last year’s X Factor final and tonight Nicky is back – but this time he’s dancing.
And there’s no stools.
Laughing again, Nicky said: “Never say never. There’s been talk of using a Westlife song and incorporating one of them into a routine. I don’t think it’s a bad idea. I’m up for it.”
Kerry Katona thinks Sharon Osbourne should come back WE like her style.
Kerry Katona says: Westlife star Kian Egan has said he’d love to be a judge on The X Factor, but only if Louis Walsh stays.
I can’t help thinking his former bandmate Mark Feehily would be better.
Vocally, Mark is more passionate. I love Louis, but he seems to say the same things: ‘You’re a great recording artist, you’ll get a record deal!’ I reckon Sharon Osbourne should come back, her and Louis are great together.
Carr: Westlife tricked me into getting drunk Monday, November 19, 2012
Alan Carr once got so drunk with Westlife on 'Chatty Man' he had trouble reading the autocue.
The 36-year-old presenter usually enjoys a drink with his star-studded line-up of guests on the chat show but he felt as though he'd been on a heavy night out when he had the 'Flying Without Wings' band on the show once, as he tried to match their alcohol consumption but didn't realise they were only pretending to drink.
Carr - who is on the ninth series of the Channel 4 programme - said: "I didn't realise they were flinging their glasses behind the sofa. So I kept drinking, thinking: 'God, I know the Irish can drink, but my head's rotating'.
"When I got up, I saw it was knee-deep in shot glasses behind the settee.
"I find all alcohol moreish, so I was on my third glass and I couldn't read the autocue properly. By the time the third guest came on, I was up for a fight and a kebab!"
O2 SMARTSOUNDS: Westlife IT was recently announced that Westlife will make a return to The O2 this year, to headline a one-off gig, 'O2 SmartSounds'. The four-piece will take to the stage on November 24 to play a live social media gig, specially created by O2 to coincide with the introduction of its new Smartphone offer. From August 25, customers who buy or upgrade to a Smartphone at O2 retail stores nationwide can get two free tickets to see Westlife on November 24 at 'The O2', while tickets last. Westlife's Kian Egan said, "O2 SmartSounds will be a very different gig, with fans being given unique opportunities throughout the night to interact with us. Keep an eye on www.O2.ie for more details." Support act announcements will follow and up-and-coming Irish bands are being encouraged to keep an eye out for the launch of a Battle of the Bands competition, where O2 will offer one lucky band the chance to play on November 24.
A 1964 Aston Martin DB5 offered by singer Shane Filan, of the Irish pop band Westlife, sold for 348,000 pounds to a telephone bidder against a low valuation of 250,000 pounds. The car had undergone three years of restoration for Filan, having been found in dilapidated condition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, several years ago by the Aston specialist dealer Desmond J. Smail, said Bonhams.
Aston Restoration “I think the seller probably made a profit,” said Knight. “You can renovate an Aston for less than 200,000 pounds and if you’re going to spend that kind of money restoring a car, you may as well do it with a DB5.”
An Aston Martin DB5 was the runaround of choice for James Bond in five movies, beginning with “Goldfinger” in 1964.
Living the Westlife Way CONVERSATIONS With Ricky Lo The Philippine Star Updated September 18, 2011 The band is coming for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 29.
We know we can sing. That?s the easy part.?
That?s what Shane Filan said about Westlife, the boyband that helped pave the way for bands of the same genre, and that?s what they?ve been happily doing all these 14 years during which they sold over 44 million records worldwide, 14 of them No. 1 singles in the United Kingdom, making them the only artist with the most consecutive No. 1?s in the UK.
Minus Bryan McFadden who has gone solo, the remaining four Westlife guys ? that is, Shane, 32; Kian Egan, 31; Mark Feehily, 31; and Nicky Byrne, at 33 the oldest of the group ? are coming for a concert at the Araneta Coliseum next Thursday, Sept. 29, as part-promo for their latest album called Gravity, released locally by Sony Music.
?It?s a really good album,? said Nicky in an exclusive phone Conversation (again, the band agreed to talk only to one Philippine paper, The STAR). ?It?s one producer. It?s one sound. Maybe it?s taken us 14 years to get there. But it doesn?t matter. We?re here now.?
And here they will stay, well-entrenched on top and unchallenged by the emergence of other bands.
Before he became a Westlifer, Nicky played professional football and represented Ireland at several underage competitions. He?s married to Georgina Ahern, his childhood sweetheart and they have fraternal twin sons named Jay and Rocco, four years old. Except for Mark, the two other members are married, too, and have kids of their own.
Nicky (rightmost) with (from left) Kian, Shane and Mark. You and the other Westlife guys are coming to the Philippines for a concert on Sept. 29. Welcome back!
?We?re looking forward to it. You know, the Philippines has always been very welcoming to Westlife. Ever since we first went there in 1999, the people there have been so friendly to Westlife and I know that Westlife songs mean a lot to some people there.?
When you were here in 1999, you were new as a group.
?That?s right. We?ve been to the Philippines I think maybe four or five times for promo visits and we?ve done some concert visits. It?s a place that we do like to visit again and again. It?s been too long since we?ve been back, so we?re really looking forward to go back over there and to, you know, sing all our songs for the fans again. It should be very special.?
It has been 14 years since you were organized as a group. How has the Westlife music changed all these years, how did it evolve?
?I think that when you?re in a band like this and you enjoy doing it, you always try to improve the next album and make the songs better. At the same time, you don?t want to change too much because possibly one of the reasons why we?re still around is that we didn?t try and change our music. We?ve stuck to the formula and to what we know how to do best. People seem to like most of the pop songs that we make and that?s very important.?
What about you and the three other guys, how have you changed as persons all these years? I guess the way you look at life has changed a bit. Are you the same persons that you were 14 years ago?
Nicky Byrne. ?Well, we?ve certainly grown up. We are family men now. I?ve got children now. The way you look at life does change a little bit as you grow older. This is actually our 14th year, would you believe?I couldn?t believe that we?ve lasted this long.?
Wow, that?s a long time!
?Yeah, it has been a long time! And we?re enjoying every minute of it. We have a greatest-hits album this year and this is why we?re going to the Philippines to sing all the songs on it. We?re inviting all those people who used to be Westlife fans and who are still Westlife fans to come and enjoy the concert with us.?
Oh, I?m sure they will all be there.
?And, you know, something that is also very close to me about the Philippines is that I?m a big fan of Manny Pacquiao.?
Really!?!
?Oh yes, I am! I do a bit of boxing training. I heard that Manny likes to sing, so I hope that he will watch our concert if he?s around. I?m inviting him.?
Right now (last week during the interview), he?s in the States promoting with Juan Manuel Marquez their return bout on Nov. 12 (Nov. 13 Manila Time) in Las Vegas. I?m sure he?ll be back in time for your concert.
(Addressing Manny) ?Come to our concert, Manny! Be our guest!?
Have you heard him sing?
?No, I haven?t. It will be great if he will come to our concert and sing a song or two with us, a Westlife song of course.?
You have two kids. What about the other members (Kian, Mark and Shane)?
?Kian is expecting his first child next January. Shane has three children. Mark doesn?t have any children. He?s not married at the moment.?
Nicky: We?re inviting Manny Pacquiao (inset) to our concert. I heard that he sings; maybe he can sing one song with us during the show. I also want to do a bit of boxing training with him during the day. Now that you are fathers, how do you look at music? I suppose you sing with a different feeling now.
?Yeah, definitely! Being a father does change your life. Having children is an amazing experience. You look at music differently from the way you did when you were single. It gives you a special feeling singing the same songs with a different feeling. When we go on a world tour, I don?t want to stay away too long because I miss my children.?
Do you sing your kids to sleep at night?
(Laughs) ?No, I don?t.?
How do you Westlife guys manage to stay together and stay on top all these years despite the emergence of other groups?
?To be honest, I don?t know. You know, maybe we know what buttons to push or what pushes each other?s buttons. There?s really no magic formula. If there were, we would bottle it and sell it. I think if you want to continue doing something that you love to do, you have to help each other through and do your best to make things easy for everybody. Fourteen years is a long time. We?re coming to Asia now for concerts because you just never know what?s around the corner so we?re looking forward to this tour.?
Do you guys always do things together at work or at play?
?Right now, no. I don?t believe that at this particular moment any member has that plan. That?s not to say that things will not change because in time, maybe each of us will take a break and I?m sure each one of us will want to do his own thing. But as I?ve said, right now, not one of us has any such plan and we are just concentrating on the greatest-hits tour.?
Oh, you?re doing a greatest-hits album. That?s great!
?Yes, it?s coming out in November, after Gravity which came out last year.?
I read somewhere that you guys came to a crossroads last year and the result was the album Gravity. According to the story, you wandered into ?uncharted waters.? Was it a ?risk? doing that kind of album?
?I don?t think doing the album was a risk. I think what we meant was that, with nobody to compare ourselves to we?re making more and more albums, and we?re in ?uncharted waters? where the typical boy band would have maybe three albums and a ?greatest hits? one. With us, we did nine albums before doing a ?greatest hits? album. Every album we make is new and nobody has ever done it like this before. You know, the Gravity album is a pretty good pop album.?
I?ve listened to the album and the most touching song on it is Too Hard To say Goodbye. There?s an interesting story behind it, about the passing of your father and that of Kian, right?
?Yeah, my dad had a heart attack and died suddenly when he was at work, and Kian?s dad also died within the same year. It was a painful way to end the year. It was quite hard. What we did was go to the studio and write the song. It?s a song that really works. It?s a hard song to do, our special tribute to our dads. We were crying when we did it.?
You helped pave the way for boy bands. You?re grown-up now, you?re fathers now. You have ceased to be a boyband. How would you classify yourselves now?
?Maybe we should call ourselves, hmmmm, the Granddad Band.? (Laughs)
See you at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 29. We?d love to listen to you sing the old familiar Westlife songs.
?Yeah, we?ll be singing all our songs ? You Raise Me Up, When You?re Looking Like That?all the big songs. We can hardly wait to sing all of them.?
If Manny Pacquiao watched your concert and agreed to do a song with you guys, what song would it be?
?I think You Raise Me Up would be good. That would be a nice one. Or any Westlife song he?d want to do. During the day, I would love to do a bit of boxing training with him and then at night time, he could do a bit of singing with us.?
One trivia question: Your full name is quite long ? Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr. Didn?t you have a hard time writing it during grade school?
?Oh, in school I didn?t have to write all that. That?s the name on my birth certificate. For short, you take the first and the last ? Nicholas Byrne. My friends call me Nicko and then everybody knows me as Nicky.?
Anything you have to say to your fans down here? ?Oh, please remind everybody to follow me on Twitter. I?ll be keeping everybody updated on what I?m doing.?
Westlife are filming a brand new music video in South Africa for what will be their first single since moving to RCA.
The track, the name of which hasn't been revealed yet, will be the lead single from their upcoming Greatest Hits.
Also being done over there is what has been described as a "very special photo shoot".
The pictures are going to be featured in a special fan Box Set of their Greatest Hits, the first 500 of which will be signed by the boys.
The box set is also going to include an amazing retrospective photobook showing their 14 years together, as well as some specially selected fan pictures.
Westlife set to announce greatest hits tour for 2012Date Posted: 15/09/11 Westlife are rumoured to be undertaking a greatest hits tour next year to follow up from the release of their collection of chart-topping singles.
The Irish boy band's The Greatest Hits album will be available to purchase from Monday November 21st and Stereoboard.com reports that they could perform in front of those booking city breaks at some of the UK's biggest venues in May 2012.
"It’s almost hard to believe that we’ve been doing this for as long as we have. We’re incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved and are looking forward to releasing our Greatest Hits as a special thank you to our fans who have supported us throughout our career," said the boys in a statement.
During their career, Westlife have had 14 number on singles, bettered only by Elvis Presley and The Beatles, and have sold more tickets at Wembley Arena than any other act, having performed there 25 times.
While a track listing for The Greatest Hits has yet to be announced, it could feature the likes of Home, Flying Without Wings and Against All Odds.
Westlife star Shane Filan sells Bond car September 2011
Westlife star Shane Filan fetched ?398,000 for his James Bond 1964 Aston Martin, when it went under the hammer .
The silver DB5 4.2 litre sports saloon was driven by Sean Connery in the James Bond film Goldfinger and was auctioned off in the UK at the three-day Goodwood Revival motorsport and aviation event.
It was expected by auctioneers Bonhams that the car would fetch around ?300,000, but it well exceeded expectations and was sold to a telephone bidder.
Sligo-born Filan, who is a car fanatic, bought the motor as a 30th birthday present to himself. However, he put it up for sale because he is always on tour and he won't get a chance to use it.
The car remains the most famous off all the James Bond Aston Martins, having appeared in five movies out of the series.
Westlife is King in Vietnamese fans’ heart VietNamNet Bridge - Thousands of people packed Hanoi’s My National Dinh Stadium on the night of October 1, to shout “Westlife, we love you!” and sing along with their idols for nearly 100 minutes.
Westlife to sing with Vietnamese fans Westlife's Gravity Tour to come to Vietnam this October
After two rainy days under the impacts of typhoon Nesat, rain suddenly stopped on the afternoon of October 1, just several hours before Westlife’s Gravity tour. Thousands of fans flocked to the My Dinh Stadium to see their idols. Vietnamese fans had to wait for over a decade to see Westlife.
Westlife appeared at 8.10pm, when a small rain began. However, the stadium was very hot. Thousands of people shouted “Westlife, Westlife, Westlife”.
The band started the show by two songs “When You’re Looking Like That” and “World Of Our Own” in the shouts of encouragements.
In the 100-minute show with over 20 songs, among those from the latest album, Gravity, Westlife also performed some hit songs that have brought the boy-band to the list of the world’s most popular artists, including “My Love”, “Seasons In The Sun”, “You Raise Me Up” and “Flying Without Wings”.
The four singers - Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan and Kian Egan - made many young fans bursting into tears with their pieces of music and friendliness.
Almost all the audience turned on the flash lights of their mobile phones after being asked to do so as the boy-band started to sing “You Raise Me Up”.
The four singers also had a very close interaction with audience by shaking hands with them, and Nicky and Kian even helped their fans take the photos by using their own digital cameras. Kian also asked the audience to shout out “Twinkle”, the nickname of his future child - his wife’s second pregnancy, so that he can record the view for the child.
Westlife kept the promise to their fans as not only showed off sweetest love songs, but also more exciting music with the cover of 5 songs, including Viva La Vida (Coldplay), Only Girl (Rihanna), The Time (Black Eyed Peas), Bad Romance (Lady Gaga) and I Predict A Riot (Kaiser Chiefs).
Different with fans’ prediction, Westlife invited not four but up to eight fans, including two girls from Sweden and Denmark, to sing “Beautiful Tonight,” not “My Love” with them.
They ended their Vietnam’s live concert with “What About Now” and “Uptown Girl”.
The show closed by a firework show, which raised the audience’s temper to the highest level. The show marked a great leap in organizing technology in Vietnam.
After the show ended, Nicky immediately logged on Twitter to share the 32-second clip he filmed the moment thousands of Vietnamese fans cheering up and singing along the hit “My Love”.
The four-man idol group said they decided to add “My Love” to their list, although it was not originally included after finding out before coming here that the song was their most popular song to local fans.
With their only one show in Vietnam, Westlife has really become “King of My Heart” in the heart of Vietnamese fans.
Nearly 10,000 people watched the show.
The band opened its show by two songs "When You're Looking Like That" and "World Of Our Own"
A fan cried when Westlife performed "My Love", a special gift for Vietnamese audience.
Eight fans joined Westlife to sing 'Beautiful Tonight'. Photo: a fan from Da Lat city.
Many audiences were surprised with the cover of 5 songs, including Viva La Vida (Coldplay), Only Girl (Rihanna), The Time (Black Eyed Peas), Bad Romance (Lady Gaga) and I Predict A Riot (Kaiser Chiefs).
Westlife was very friendly.
Vietnamese fans presented many gifts to their idols.
The four singers also had a very close interaction with audience by shaking hands with them. Nicky and Kian even helped their fans take the photos by using their own digital cameras.
They said goodbye to Vietnamese fans by "Uptown girl". They promised to see Vietnamese audiences again in a near future.
Westlife’s Kian Egan, to mentor on The Voice Ireland?
Westlife’s Kian Egan, Sharon Corr, Brian Kennedy to mentor on The Voice Ireland? October 7th, 2011 by Lisa McGarry.
Kian Egan may just be about to follow in his manager’s footsteps.
The Westlife star – who is managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh – is rumoured to be in talks about joining the judging panel of new reality TV show The Voice, not the BBC version but the Irish one.
The singer not only has industry and music experience, but he has also managed other acts, such as his wife’s girlband Wonderland – until they split last month after being dropped by their record label – and has an all round history in the business.
The Independent claims that Egan, 30, has been approached by BBC bosses about joining the panel as a Voice mentor and an insider explained:
“Kian realised that the huge amount of experience he has in the music business could be of great use to any aspiring singer trying to get a break”.
It is thought that Kian will be joined by Sharon Corr, Brian Kennedy and former Blizzards singer Niall Breslin aka Bressie on the show.
Famous Irish Boy Band in Concert Westlife and Gravity thrill Jakarta
Oct 07, 2011 Seven years since their last performance in Indonesia, the famous Irish boy band, Westlife, finally made their comeback in Jakarta on the evening of October 5, quenching the longing of their fans. This exuberant show was part of their world tour entitled, The Gravity, held at the Tennis Indoor Stadium in Senayan, Jakarta. Thousands of loyal fans from Jakarta and other major cities of Indonesia such as Bandung, Surabaya, and Lombok flocked to the site, hours before the show commenced.
A special Meet and Greet session organized by Enterprise Ireland was held before the fabulous quartet of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan went on stage. Speaking for Enterprise Ireland, Claire Tracey stated that they had a number of fortunate loyal fans to come face to face and interact closely with the boy band, which supports education in Ireland. When asked about how he sees Indonesia, Nicky simply replied, “It’s amazing.” The Meet and Greet session itself was short, but it left a lasting memento for those who got the chance to just shake hands or take pictures with all Westlife members.
The concert kicked off at 2000 Western Indonesia Time, as the rumbling sounds of the hysterical audience grew louder by the minute. As the curtains were raised, Westlife appeared with their elegant trench coats and black ties, and shook the stadium with “When you‘re looking like that,” while the audience passionately sang along with them.
After the opening song, Mark greeted the audience and expressed his excitement to return and meet his fans in Indonesia. “I hope you guys don’t just scream, but also sing along with us, but watch out don’t let anybody get hurt,” said Mark, as Westlife went on to play "World of Our Own," "What Makes A Man," and “What About Now.”
The hysteria and frenzy got somewhat out of control as the quartet played “Home.” The adrenalin drove some among the audience to push one another, causing a number to faint.
Shane got to know Gillian through musicals and plays they were in at school. Then in 2000, they met up again in a nightclub in Sligo and decided to go out with each other! Gillian accompanied Shane to the World Of Our Own album launch press conference, but she hid in the audience and Shane wouldn't reveal who she was to the press. Gillian is keen to keep her private life private. Shane says he is in love with her without a shadow of a doubt. He is always sending her flowers. Shane took Gillian to Dubai in December 2002, got down on one knee and proposed to her on the beach underneath the stars! Oh how romantic!
Shane and Gillian slideshow Lets make tonight special
(4:26) Shane and Gillian slideshow Lets make tonight special
wedding
Shane Filan Gillian Walsh December 28th, 2003
WESTLIFE'S Shane Filan said he was ''the luckiest guy in the world'' as he wed his childhood sweetheart .
Guests, including Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern, watched as Shane and Gillian Walsh exchanged vows at Ballintubber Abbey, County Mayo.
Dressed in white, Shane joked with bandmates Kian Egan and Mark Fehilly as his bride turned up late.
When Gillian, wearing an embroideredwhite dress arrived at the altar, he whispered to her: ''You look amazing.''
Afterwards, Shane said: ''Looking at Gillian at the altar was the best moment of my life. I was welling up during the service.
''I feel like the luckiest guy in the world and everything went according to plan.
''It was great to go out there and wave to the fans and also see all our friends and family enjoying our big day.
''Gillian felt like a princess and looked like one too.''
Last night, guests enjoyed a wedding banquet at nearby Ashford Castle.
Westlife singer Shane Filan has been celebrating his marriage to his childhood sweetheart at one of Ireland's most exclusive hotels. Shane wed Gillian Walsh at historic Ballintubber Abbey in County Mayo on Sunday.
They later celebrated along with more than 350 guests in the lakeside splendour of the nearby Ashford Castle hotel. It was reported that Shane had popped the question while he and Gillian were on holiday together in Dubai last year.
His elder brother Finbar acted as best man whilst The Conway Sisters sang at the ceremony in Ballintubber, which dates back to the 13th century, and was once left a wreck by the army of Oliver Cromwell.
The event marked the first Westlife wedding since last summer's occasion in a French village, when Nicky Byrne married Georgina, one of Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's two daughters.
It was reported that the couple had struck a $1m (£622,000) deal with celebrity magazine Hello! to cover the ceremony.
About 200 of Westlife's noisy, but devoted following stood in the cold weather outside the Abbey on Sunday to catch a glimpse of the band and cheer them into and out of the church.
Like his bride, Shane was dressed in white and the happy couple arrived for the ceremony in a white, horse-drawn coach.
Westlife Kids Nicole & Patrick
2008 New baby boy is a handful for Shane
Shane Filan with their first son, Patrick Michael
shane en nicole
14.03.2008 Announcement from Shane
Hi everyone You've probably all heard the news by now, but I wanted to let you know personally that Gillian and I are having another baby!
I can't even begin to describe how amazing we're both feeling right now - as you can imagine, we're completely over the moon and Nicole is very excited at the thought of having a little brother or sister to play with.
The baby is due in September, so quite a while to go yet, although I'm sure it'll fly by really quickly. Gillian's bump is growing by the day and she's extremely happy and healthy.
I look forward to introducing the new member of the Filan clan to you later in the year!
Love Shane.
Shane and Gillian
Baby joy for Westlife's Shane Filan Westlife singer Shane Filan and his wife Gillian celebrated a new addition to their family yesterday morning with the arrival of their first son, Patrick.
The couple already have a three-year-old daughter named Nicole. Shane & Gillian Filan - New arrival
The Irish Daily Star reports that mother and son are doing well and are believed to be in Sligo General Hospital.
Patrick Filan christening 23 October 2008 - Shane Filan showed off his beautiful new baby Patrick for the first time today exclusively in the Irish Daily Mirror. The 29 year old shunned a series of big money magazine offers to stick with his favourite newspaper and posed with stunning wife Gillian, daughter Nicole and Patrick athis christening. Until today Shane has kept the baby under wraps since he was born on 15 September.
Gillian also 29 was back to her sexy best at the christening in Sligo and Shane looked hot in a designer suit and joined friends and family for the christening. "Gillian looked great and little Patrick was fantastic throughout the service. He took it all in his stride". "I feel like the luckiest man alive to have an adorable son and daughter. Gillian and I have to keep pinching ourselves". Shane and his bandmates have taken a year off to concentrate on their families after a decade at the top. And the singer, who confessed he has never been busier, added: "I thought I would be twiddling my thumbs but think it is pretty hectic. "Having two kids is incredible but a lot of work. It's great that I can be at home more to help Gillian out". One guest said "Gillian looked like a million dollars. She has really got her figure back and was absolutely glowing. Shane couldn't stop smiling and you can tell just to look at them that they are happier than ever. Source: Paul Martin - Irish Daily Mirror
Shane and Gillian at Ivy Ball in London taken on 21 November 2008.
Interview with Shane about Gillian
December 2001
Little more than an hour earlier I had watched in astonishment as 12,000 girls scream themselves hoarse for Shane and the rest of westlife. Almost any of them would have done anything to spend the night with one of their idol. But there is only one woman Shane is interested in. She is Gillian Walsh, the bright and gentle Irish girl he has tried to keep secret for more than a year. But as we sit chatting in his hotel room with Shane still buzzing with exctitement from the Sheffield Arena gig, there are no secrets anymore. He wants to talk about how they 1st kissed, how he told her he loved her and his hopes one day they will settle down and have children.
" I knew I loved her more or less straight away" says Shane 22, shatterring a million teenage dreams. "She has such a great personality and is the most amazing person I have ever met."
When i first met Shane, the youngest of 7 children, he had a boyish charm, and talked enthusiastically about everything. 3 years on his passions or still singing and performing, but now there is Gillian, too. All the attention from women could of turned him into a vain egomaniac, but his modesty shrugs off his appeal. Sittimg curled up in an arm chair, wearing jeans and an old t-shirt, he has filled out since our 1st meeting, but he has an air of innocence that belies the experiences he has gained in Westlife.
A week talk, Gillian also 22 quielty sorts through a pile of clothes. She is happy to stay out of the limelight. But Shane says it was he, not she, who insisted on total secrecy for the 1st year now he wants the world to know. He says "I needed to have a more normal relationship. We kept it quiet for ages, and it was driving me mad coz we couldnt walk down street holding hands".
They still do not like to pose for phototgraphs together. And Gillian in the final year of a bussiness studies degree, keeps a discreet distance when he is working. Shane has known Gillian, a cousin of fellow bandmate Kian Egan, since childhood. But it was only more recently that it became serious. He says, "I fancied her for an awful long ime, but didn't tell her. I didnt kiss her for ages because I didnt want to come on too strong. The 1st time I kissed her was...oh, my God, it was amazing, we had just gone on our 1st proper date, to the cinema. It was just a quick kiss, but long enough for her to hopefully want some more and she did."
"Things got better and better, and i started thinking she is the one we had been together for about 4 months when I wanted to tell her I loved her. I didn't know how to do it so I just said I had a secret. I kept her guessing for a few weeks. She was dying to get it out of me. Then she said she had a secret too. One night i said I'll tell u my secret if u tell me yours. We agreed and I told her 'I love you' She told hers was that she loved me too. It was one of the best moments ever, I'll never forget it."
Will he marry her? "I definately hope so one day," he says well that's blown it. "I cant see myself ever being happy with out her. I call her the perfect package . She is the girl of my dreams in every sense.
SHANE & G i l l i a n 15 dec - 2008
the Emeralds and Ivy Ball on November 21 -2009 in London
Happy 6th Wedding Anniversary Shane & Gillian 28 Dec 2009 by Villy Aww today it's Shane and Gillian's 6th wedding anniversary! Time flies... I hope they will always be in love with each other and very happy in their beautiful family!
Baby joy for Shane and Gillian Filan.
Twelve days early and catching his parents by surprise, Shane Filan junior made the sort of entrance his famous dad would have been proud of.
"He certainly didn't keep us waiting. He wasn't due until early February, and up until 8 p.m. last Friday there was no sign he was on his way. But an hour and a half later, he was here," Westlife's Shane told THE SLIGO CHAMPION, describing the early arrival of his third child, a brother for Nicole (4) and Patrick (18 months).
"There was no panic or anything like that, but we certainly weren't expecting it. Gillian started having pains at about eight o'clock, we went straight to Sligo General, and the baby was born exactly one hour and thirty-four minutes later," he explained.
Weighing in at 6 lbs 9 ounces, the new arrival will be named Shane Peter, after both his father and grandfather. The couple's first son was named Patrick Michael, after Gillian's dad.
"It's a family tradition to name children after fathers and grandfathers, so we're just following that really. I suppose I've always wanted a son named Shane, so I'm thrilled about that," the singer added.
He was singing the praises of the staff in the maternity department at Sligo General, who made sure everything went very smoothly.
"They were all fantastic. Our gynaecologist, Dr. Heather Langan, made sure all ran smoothly, and midwife, Carol, who helped deliver Shane, was a real angel. Everything happened so quickly, and we were all really well looked after," Shane added.
With three children under five years of age, it will be a busy household, particularly as Shane has a hectic summer schedule of concerts lined up with Westlife.
"We'll certainly have our hands full for a while, but we love it," he said. And is that the full set?
"You'd better ask Gillian that question --it certainly is for now!"
2010
Wednesday December 29 2010
THERE was plenty of celebration in the Filan household yesterday as Westlife singer Shane and his wife Gillian celebrated their seventh wedding anniversary.
The Diary can reveal how the couple, who wed at a star-studded ceremony in Ballintubber Abbey, Co Mayo, planned an intimate bash with close friends last night to mark the milestone.
The high-profile pair have been together for over ten years, with Shane explaining that the couple now put more focus on meaningful gifts when it comes to celebrations.
"At the start we used to spend money, but you soon get bored of that and it's far more meaningful to put thought and effort into something," Shane explained.
"I'd rather have a gift that cost nothing and had loads of thought put into it."
The singer also revealed how this Christmas was particularly significant for the family as it was their first year with new baby, Shane Peter.
The tot, who has two older siblings, Nicole and Patrick, will turn one on January 22.
"It was the first Christmas with Shane Junior so it was a big Santa Claus Christmas this year," he said.
"We had a traditional day and all the trimmings. The whole family came over from all corners of Sligo, so there was a great atmosphere in the Filan household."
The busy popstar has plenty of big plans for 2011, including a €5m development in his home town of Sligo.
Shane owns a property development company called Shafin, alongside his brother Finbarr, and the pair are hoping to buck the recession by building a neighbourhood centre.
The building will be anchored by a large supermarket and will also contain five retail units and two takeaway outlets.
WESTLIFE'S Shane Filan is on the verge of signing a six-figure deal with a new record company.
The Diary can reveal how the Sligo crooner was popping the champagne at Cheltenham Festival after talks with a string of big labels.
In what will be his first solo deal without his chart-topping bandmates, he said he'll be signing on the dotted line in the next few weeks.
And he admitted that the nerves are jangling at the thought of going it alone.
"It's exciting but, of course, I'll be nervous. It's only natural when you're coming out of a band after 14 years, you don't know where your life's going to take you," he said.
"But all I want to do is sing, sing great songs and see where it goes. It's down to the songs."
Shane and manager Louis Walsh have been having top-level negotiations with a number of labels -- but Shane didn't want to rush into anything.
"I'm just working out now exactly what's happening, there's different things happening and we'll work it out in the next month or two. Obviously I want to make the right decision," he said.
Fun
Shane and his wife Gillian left their three children Nicole, Patrick and Shane at home for a day of fun at the festival.
The celebrity couple were guests of multi-millionaire businessman JP McManus. Shane revealed how it was his first time at the festival.
But it wasn't the easiest trip up from their Surrey home, where they're now living.
They spent more than five hours caught in the traffic chaos as they slowly made their way to the Cotswolds course.
A YOUNG girl has vowed to beat cancer and keep a date with Westlife star Shane Filan.
But brave Niamh McNulty will have to wait at least a year to make her dream happen -- after getting a call for a life-saving transplant.
The 16-year-old received a 'good luck' call from the singer ahead of her operation, which takes place this Friday at Crumlin Children's Hospital.
She has fought a rare form of leukemia for the past five years, but now a suitable bone marrow donor has been found in Germany.
Her family threw her a party in Letterkenny, Co Donegal, to raise her spirits before the operation.
All her family and friends came along, as did special guests former Eurovision singer Mickey Joe Harte and 'X Factor' contestant Eoghan Quigg.
Call
But Niamh got a very special phone call on the night from Westlife star Shane.
"Her whole face just lit up. She couldn't believe it when Shane phoned. It was very nice of him to take the time.
"Hopefully when the operation is a success, Niamh will get to meet him and have a good chat with him," her mother Bernie said.
Bernie said that despite her chemotherapy treatment and watching her hair fall out four times, Niamh has been so brave.
"She has such a great personality. She has been through hell and back and she always tries to have a smile on her face. She is amazing," Bernie added.
Despite her date with Shane, Niamh will have to wait for several months after her operation, as she can only see immediate family and cannot leave her home.
"The (medical) conditions are very strict, but we will do whatever we have to. Shane will have to wait," Bernie joked. "But it will all be worth it when Niamh pulls through."
- Stephen Maguire
This is information from Westlife’s Mark Feehily’s Twitter page, on the band’s trans-Asia tour this summer; which will cover Indonesia, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Singapore, the Philippines and Vietnam. The information was then confirmed on Westlife’s website.
Westlife’s Vietnamese fans are very enthusiastic with the information.
This year, many international singers have come to Vietnam. After Backstreet Boys, Super Junior, JYJ, Alexandra Burke, David Cook will be David Archuleta, Westlife and perhaps Bon Jovi.
Westlife is an Irish pop group formed on July 3, 1998. The group's original lineup comprised Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden (departed from the band in 2004). The group is the only act in British or Irish history to have their first seven singles go straight to Number 1, and they have gone on to sell over 44 million records worldwide which includes their studio, single, video, and compilation albums.] Despite the group's worldwide success, they've only had one U.S. hit on the Billboard Hot 100 charts: "Swear It Again", which made it to No. 20 in 2000.
Westlife were originally signed by Simon Cowell and are currently managed by Louis Walsh. They garnered 14 number one singles in the United Kingdom, the third-highest in UK history, tying with Cliff Richard and trailing behind only Elvis Presley and The Beatles. The group has also broken a few top records, including "Music artist with most consecutive number 1's in the UK". It was officially announced by the Official Charts Company that they are the "2nd biggest selling artist" (trailing behind Robbie Williams) and "Biggest selling band of the decade" (beating Coldplay) in UK with 11 million album sales.
On June 1, 2008, Westlife marked their 10th anniversary with a concert in Croke Park, Dublin which had more than 83,000 fans attending the special occasion. Music Week revealed on their website that Westlife is the official third top touring act within the years 2005–2008, while they were 7th top touring act of 2008. Also in 2008, they were declared as Ireland's ninth-richest celebrities under 30 years old, and 13th in general with 36 million euros as a group. In 2009, they dropped as 16th richest Irish with estimated 8 million euros each. They are named as the fourth most hard-working music artist in UK by PRS in 2010.
Gravity is the eleventh studio album from Westlife. It was released on November 22, 2010 in the United Kingdom through Syco Music, RCA Records and Sony Music.
Westlife began its tour to advertise the album on March 7, 2011. Its Asian tour will begin on September 21.
In Gravity tour, Westlife will perform its popular songs like Seasons in The Sun, Flying Without Wings, Uptown Girl, World of Our Own, You Raise Me Up and songs from the new album, such Gravity, Safe, I Will Reach You or No One’s Gonna Sleep Tonight.
Shane Filan says it will happen 'someday'
Westlife have hinted that they will reunite with former member Brian McFadden "someday".
Last year McFadden, who quit the band in 2004, wrote on Twitter.comBrianMcFaddem: "I had a dream I was back on stage with Westlife playing some crazy-sized football stadium.
"I would love to do an album with the boys and show JLS and Take That what we are really made of! If the boys wanna challenge these newcomers I am up for a fight."
However, member Shane Filan responded at the time by saying: "I don't think it's even remotely interesting if Brian came back."
Filan has now had a change of heart, telling the Daily Record: "I'd never rule out Brian coming back because there never was a bad patch with him. Brian was great with fans.
"I definitely think some day it would be great fun to sing with Brian again. It could be in 10 years time but I think it will happen."
I'm so happy for Brian and new love Vogue --
Wednesday July 20 2011
WESTLIFE'S Nicky Byrne has spoken of his joy that former bandmate Brian McFadden has found love again.
The singer made the comments about his ex bandmate, who is currently enjoying the early flushes of romance with top Irish model Vogue Williams.
Dad-of-two Nicky (32) explained how he doesn't know the Howth born model personally, but says that he is happy for his Australia-based friend on his newfound love.
Nicky went on to reveal his belief that Artane native Brian will collaborate with Westlife again.
He insists however that the group have made no plans for a reunion.
"I don't know Vogue whatsoever but I'm just happy if he's happy," Nicky told the Diary.
"He's a nice fella, I've always said it since the day he left.
"Brian's not the worst in the world. He has a heart of gold. He's probably had a bit of a rough time of it down the years.
"The way it is with Brian and the band is that it was one of those things where you'd never say never but there is no plan. I can categorically say that. I like him and who knows.
"People love a bit of nostalgia.
"I think there will be a time in Westlife's life when we do sing with him again. When that is, whether it's next week or five years down the line I really don't know," he added.
Nicky also insists that he is in the dark when it comes to the line-up for RTE's new talent series, The Voice, for which his name has been mentioned as a potential judge.
The Flying Without Wings singer says he would be interested in hearing more about the show but claims he has not spoken to anyone to date.
According to the down to earth singer: "I don't know about The Voice at all. I keep hearing my name being mentioned around as well but no, not that I know of.
"I don't know, I mean, I'd certainly be interested in being listed but you know I think they put everyone's name in the hat, don't they?
"TV is something I've always enjoyed. Certainly I've presented Childline over the years. I'm always doing TV with Westlife being interviewed. I've always enjoyed the buzz of TV so definitely down the road.
"I'm still concentrating on Westlife at the moment, we've another album to produce and lots of tours.
"I do think The Voice is a great concept, I mean I've seen the American version. I think it will be great for Ireland definitely," he added.
Nicky and his bandmates took a month off work over the summer, but are soon due to hit the road once more to continue their tour across South Africa and South East Asia.
The chatty popstar was speaking last night at the world premiere of Peter Pan at the Grand Canal Theatre.
Nicky was joined at the star-studded event by his wife Georgina, the couple's twin sons Rocco and Jay (4) and his mother-in-law Miriam Ahern.
Westlife pay tribute to Amy Winehouse at Hamilton Park Race Course
Westlife brought their Gravity tour to a packed Hamilton Park Racecourse last night (Saturday, July 23).
Although the atmosphere at the concert was electric, the night was tinged with sadness following the news that Amy Winehouse had been found dead earlier that day.
The boys were keen to express their sadness at the news and pay tribute to the singer.
Mark Feehily told the crowd: ?It?s been a funny old day. I?m sure you?ve all heard the sad news about Amy Winehouse. I am a massive fan of hers; she has done so much for music in this country.
?Amy Winehouse, we love you so much ? tonight is for you.?
Prior to the show, Mark had joined the host of stars and fans Tweeting tributes to Amy. He wrote: ?I am devastated...so so devastated... RIP my hero Amy xx?
During a concert in Scotland, Westlife singer Mark Feehily told fans: “It’s been a funny old day. I’m sure you’ve all heard the sad news about Amy Winehouse. I am a massive fan of hers; she has done so much for music in this country. Amy Winehouse, we love you so much – tonight is for you.”
Westlife singer Mark, who came up with the idea, said he was inspired by his own personal experiences of bullying when he was younger.
A poster campaign aimed at highlighting the effects that bullying has on the lives of children and young people was launched in Dublin today.
A number of well-known figures from the world of music and the arts are participating in the ISPCC campaign, which will last for four weeks.
The society hopes the campaign will encourage children and young people to stand up to bullying and to find the strength to talk about it and to seek support.
Saoirse Ronan, Mark Feehily, Louis Walsh, Laura Whitmore and Jedward all feature in posters with cuts and bruises to represent the lasting effect bullying can have on lives.
"I know at first hand how the impact of being bullied as a teenager can quite literally last a lifetime," said Westlife member and ISPCC ambassador Mark Feehily. "I thought that if we could involve well known ISPCC ambassadors perhaps people will think twice about bullying or indeed allowing bullying to happen."
Bullying can take on many forms from physical threats to online harassment and the Childline service received some 2,300 calls and messages everyday from young people last year alone.
Almost a quarter of these contacts related to abuse and welfare, including bullying as well as issues around mental health.
A week ago Kian Eagan announced that he and wife Jodi Albert were expecting their first child and today Jodi Albert proudly showed off her growing baby bump.
The Wonderland singer appeared on This Morning with her fellow band members to sing a song from their debut album and Jodi looked just swell.
Last week Jodi and her Westlife singer husband enjoyed a holiday in Ibiza and the singer showed off her four month pregnancy in a white bikini
Kian announced on Twitter than the couple were expecting their first baby together and Jodi revealed on This Morning today that the baby is due January 1.
people.com : Westlife star Kian Egan is looking forward to being a dad. Wife Jodi Albert, 28, is busy in girl band Wonderland - but not too busy to have a baby.
The singer loves strutting around in her Louboutins, but she might have to abandon them soon - for the sake of her back!
'I have two or three pairs for special occasions and they always make me feel really sexy,' Jodi tells us.
Kian, 31, doesn't mind what Jodi wears though and even finds her alluring in her jim-jams.
'Kian thinks I'm sexy in my pyjamas,' she reveals.
Thursday August 18 2011
WESTLIFE star Nicky Byrne has revealed his delight for his bandmate Kian Egan, who is preparing to become a father for the first time.
The Dublin singer told the Diary how he was delighted to hear earlier this month that Kian and his wife, Wonderland singer Jodi Albert, were expecting their first child.
The singer explained how Kian was a great help when he started his own family with wife Georgina Ahern. The couple have children, twin brothers Rocco and Jay (4).
tips
"It's such great news. The thing about Kian is he has a load of nieces and nephews so Kian, if I'm honest, was actually giving me and Georgina tips when we started having kids, back in the day," he laughed.
Speaking at the launch of the new ad campaign for the Irish Heart Foundation earlier this week, the star who was accompanied by his wife and their twin sons, revealed that singer Jodi has always been very maternal.
"Kian was very good with kids from the offset so I really think he will be a great dad and Jodi will be a great mum, she's brilliant with Rocco and Jay, she's very very motherly. I am genuinely delighted for them," he revealed.
Meanwhile, the Dublin star -- who is tipped to be the new co-presenter of RTE's The Voice -- told the Diary that he hasn't met or spoken to former bandmate Brian McFadden since his return to Ireland.
The Australia's Got Talent judge is in town for a month with model girlfriend Vogue Williams, and although he asked Westlife member Mark Feehily to meet up last week, Nicky (32) says he hasn't heard from him at all.
blood
"I haven't seen Brian or heard anything from him, you probably see him or hear about him more than I do," he joked.
The dad-of-two insists however that there is no bad blood between them.
"I never fell out with Brian, he's a good mate but just haven't heard from him or seen him at all," he explained.
Jodi Albert has revealed that she will be raiding partner Kian Egan's wardrobe for 'baggy' clothes during her pregnancy. 1 of 1 Albert is set to wear partner Kian Egan's clothes during her pregnancy Speaking to the Daily Star newspaper, the 27-year-old Wonderland singer said: "I love to wear baggy clothes and I'm always in Kian's wardrobe!"
Jodi Albert and Kian Egan are looking forward to becoming parents.
Albert continued to disclose that the pair are over the moon to be expecting their first baby saying: "We're so happy and can't wait to become parents."
However, the former Hollyoaks actress suggested that her baby will be the first of many pitching in: "We'd love to have a big family. That's what life's about."
Saturday August 20 2011
Westlife's Nicky Byrne has said he doesn't believe The X Factor will be as good without acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell.
And the Herald can reveal how the band's usual slot on the hit show now hangs in the balance since they left the music mogul's record label, SyCo.
The chart-topping singer explained how he believed the whole dynamic of the ITV programme will have changed as a result of Simon switching to X Factor USA.
"I hear Gary Barlow is good but I can't see it being as good without Simon, if I'm honest, because he and Louis had that banter, that chemistry. I know Louis likes Gary and they get on but I'm not sure if the same chemistry could be had, with anyone," he said.
Cog
"It doesn't matter who you put in that seat, it's not Simon Cowell. It's nothing against Gary but it's going to be different. And then you've not got Cheryl or Dannii either, so it's not like, you're not just missing one major cog in the wheel it's like 'wow, the whole thing has changed'. But it could be 50 times better, who knows?"
The Irish boyband has made countless key appearances on the talent contest, now in its eighth series, which has helped them launch their latest albums to TV audiences of millions.
But Nicky explained how the group are no longer assured a key slot on the programme now that they have switched labels to RCA. "I will certainly watch the show but I don't know if we'll be on it. We would all love to, of course and with Louis there thankfully we have an 'in' on it," he continued.
"But they have had us on a lot over the years and you have to remember, SyCo is the company that makes the show so hopefully it wouldn't be like that. But you never know, we might not get the show and if we don't, we'll just have to pick ourselves up and move on."
The popular singer has also done little to allay speculation that RTE is head-hunting him to co-present new programme The Voice of Ireland. But he said that it's all to do with timing and his first loyalties will always lie with Westlife as the four lads gear up to embark on a short tour next month of South Africa and South East Asia.
"I'm not going to lie -- broadcasting is something I do enjoy," he continued. "Nobody has offered me the job or anything like that but it's always nice to be mentioned in a big TV show like that. I don't know if I have the timing for something like this."
Request
Once their next tour is complete, Westlife will be taking to the stage at the O2 Dublin on November 24 to play 'O2 SmartSounds'. A live social-media gig, it will see attendees being able to request the songs they'd like to hear on the night. "We're really looking forward to that. It's a great concept and there's also going to be a battle of the bands on the night," Nicky added.
Herald readers will have the opportunity to win tickets to this exclusive event, with more details revealed over the coming weeks
mfinn@herald.ie
Dubliner Nicky Byrne has revealed that the band is currently out of contract and looking forward to their future.
The Irish crooners, who parted ways with Simon Cowell's record company earlier this year, moved to RCA after they clashed creatively with Cowell.
Speaking to The Star, Byrne said that there is not a new Westlife album in the works right now.
"Right now no." he said. "Right now we are just looking forward to the Greatest Hits.
"We are out of contract at the moment which is a great position to be in because if this album does well we're looking to the future, like a footballer you are free to talk to anybody.
Byrne with his bandmates Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan
"At the moment I would guess Greatest Hits tour and then we might not come back with an album in the next year because it might feel too soon.
"I would say we'd probably look at what's on the table and then maybe discuss with a few other people, labels and see what's there and move forward."
However the Westlife star admitted that there is no hard feelings between the band and their former mentor Cowell.
"I texted him when the amicable departure happened and I said Simon I just want to thank you for the 13 years and I owe you an awful lot. Straight away he replied and said 'listen we're always here for you guys'."
Jedward, X-Factor judge Louis Walsh and Westlife star Mark Feehily have all posed as assault victims in a hard-hitting campaign against bullying.
The pop stars appear bruised and battered in the posters launched by children's campaigners.
MTV presenter Laura Whitmore and actress Saoirse Ronan have also been photographed as part of the series of images launched in Dublin today by the Irish Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC).
Advertisement >> Westlife singer Feehily, who came up with the idea, said he was inspired by his own personal experiences of bullying when he was younger.
"I know at first hand how the impact of being bullied as a teenager can quite literally last a lifetime and I though
