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Westlife, . Irish Deaf Society opens 'Signs of Life' Photography Exhibition at Film Base, Temple Bar.. Dublin, Ireland - 13.10.11.
Westlife plan farewell tour to thank broken-hearted fans
But after 14 years, 14 number-one singles and 44 million album sales, the chart-topping act announced last night they were to split after a final farewell gig in Dublin next year.
"We lived the dream so we're not hanging our heads," member Kian Egan told the Irish Independent last night.
"We're celebrating what we came from and what we achieved. Meeting the Pope, Barack Obama, singing for the queen. We grew up in this wonderful, magical adventure which surpassed our wildest expectations but now the time has come to stop."
In a statement, the group said the decision had been "entirely amicable" and the four members would go their separate ways after the release of a greatest hits collection next month and a farewell tour next summer.
But Egan revealed Westlife's final goodbye was likely to be a stadium show in Dublin next summer.
"Doing Croke Park or Lansdowne would be perfect because we want to go out on a high.
"We wanted to finish it like this, and not be in a situation where we just dwindled away over the years, playing to smaller and smaller crowds," he added.
Although news of the split came around 6pm yesterday, the Sligo man said the parting had been an "ongoing discussion" among Westlife for the past few months.
It is now ticket sales rather than record sales by which the success of a music act is measured, so there was little concern when, last March, Westlife parted from record company Syco, run by Simon Cowell and with whom they had their biggest hits.
Picked up by label RCA, they have continued to be a popular live draw around the world, recently returning from an extensive tour of Asia.
But Egan revealed that each member was now keen to "do his own thing". Shane Filan (32) is working on a solo album, Mark Feehily (31) is penning songs for other pop acts and Dubliner Nicky Byrne (33) is looking at a career in the media.
Expecting his first child with wife Jodi Albert in January, Egan (31) is to be a coach/mentor in new RTE talent series 'The Voice Of Ireland'.
"We all have stuff we want to do and the time has come to do it. We're all looking forward to doing our own thing.
"We all feel very positive and we just want to thank our fans for the support they've given us over the years," added Egan.
Manager Louis Walsh was among those who paid tribute last night, calling Westlife "four of the best ambassadors Ireland has ever had".
"Westlife were always the best four people I have ever worked with. I had a brilliant time working with them," he said.
"And it just goes to show how far you can get in this business with the right attitude.
"I know the fans are going to be upset but they shouldn't be. The end doesn't really mean the end, look at what happened with the Stone Roses this week," Walsh told the Irish Independent.
Westlife's 'Greatest Hits' is to be released in Ireland on November 18, with a new single, 'Lighthouse', issued a week earlier on November 11.
Dates for a final Irish tour including a monster farewell in Dublin are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.
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Westlife are to split
Boyband to break up after 14 years together
Splitting up ... Westlife
IN a statement announcing the split tonight Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane said: "After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top five albums, seven of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44million copies around the world, ten sell out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year.
"The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures.
"We see the greatest hits collection and the farewell tour as the perfect way to celebrate our incredible career along with our fans. We are really looking forward to getting out on the tour and seeing our fans one last time.
"Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too.
"We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together. It has been a dream come true for all of us."
Kian, Mark, Nicky and Shane
They will say farewell to fans on the already-announced Greatest Hits Tour, which kicks off in May next year.
The news will bring an end to a record-breaking career, which has seen the group ? Nicky Byrne, 33, Kian Egan, 31, Mark Feehily, 31, and Shane Filan, 32 - sell more than 44million records.
Tonight the band thanked their fans and said their brilliant career had been "a dream come true for all of us".
In an official statement, the band said: "We today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year.
"The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures."
A source close to the band said: "This is it ? the greatest hits album and the tour are their way of giving thanks to their loyal fanbase and saying cheerio.
"There's no bad blood in the band, they're still great pals. But all good things come to an end and they are all keen to do their own thing.
"It's not something they have done lightly as they are still at the top of their game.
"They could carry on making albums into their old age the way their career has gone, but none of them want to do that.
"They're all loaded and don't need the money. It's quality time they're after and focus to do their own things."
End of the road ... Westlife announce they are breaking up
The final tour will showcase the 14 number one hits, such as Flying Without Wings they have clocked up since they launched as a five-piece in 1998.
After that the four, who are estimated to be worth £10million each, will go their separate ways and have all planned new ventures to keep them busy.
Shane is planning to embark on a solo career and is already understood to have written some songs.
Mark is also planning to stay in the music business and wants to write songs.
Nicky has his heart set on being a radio DJ and Kian is planning to take on more TV opportunities.
He is already lined up as a judge for the Irish version of new singing talent show The Voice
Chart-toppers ... Westlife had 14 number one hits
The source added: "There is a huge amount of love for the Westlife boys ? especially in their homeland of Ireland ? so they won't be short of offers."
Signs that the end of the band were coming appeared in March when they split with label boss Simon Cowell after 13 years and signed a one year deal with RCA Records for their Greatest Hits album.
At the time, Nicky blamed Simon's obsession with the X Factor for their decision to leave his BMG label.
He said of the split: "We signed to Simon back in 1998 and he was brilliant, but then came the development of X Factor and American Idol.
"Simon became famous himself and his interests went that way rather than on Westlife.
"We almost felt a little bit unloved with Simon Cowell, if I was to be honest."
And only last week Nicky became misty-eyed when talking about the band's longevity, saying: "It's hard to imagine that we have been together for this long really.
"Having a Greatest Hits on the shelves is a proud moment for us and those songs bring back such great memories."
Rumours abounded recently that former original member Brian Mcfadden was plotting a return to his old band for a TV special this Christmas, which will see them sing songs from their back catalogue.
But Kian denied this, saying: "All the rumours about Brian rejoining Westlife are untrue. We have been a four piece for too long now. We love Brian but it's not going to be. That includes any TV performances."
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Westlife have reassured fans that their announcement to split after 14 years was a "united decision".
The Irish group will go their separate ways following the release of their Greatest Hits album next month and their farewell tour in 2012.
Since they revealed plans to disband Westlife, the four-piece have been surrounded by speculation that they split over a difference in opinion over where to take their sound.
However, Westlife have now denied the rumours through their official Facebook page.
"We wanted to take a moment to say thank you to everyone for their kind words and support since making our announcement," they said.
"Our fans continue to be the best support system we could ever hope for and we thank each and every one of you."
They continued: "The support we have felt over the last couple of days gives us all strength as we look forward to our new individual paths in life and we all feel excited about the next chapters that we are embarking on.
"We know it doesn't make for a good story but regardless of what you might read in the papers this was wholeheartedly a united decision.
"Obviously there is already a huge amount of speculation as to what exactly is next for us all, but until you hear it from us it remains just that; speculation."
The boyband concluded the message by revealing plans to do fan Q&A sessions next month, where they will explain their plans further.
Westlife will release their new single 'Lighthouse' on November 13, while their Greatest Hits collection will follow on November 21.
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Alan Carr got drunk while filming Chatty Man with Westlife!
Comedian Alan Carr apparently got so drunk during recent filming for his hit chat show, Chatty Man, that filming had to be suspended.
The Daily Star reports that while Alan was interviewing the band members of Westlife – who have of course recently announced that they’re splitting – he and the band members downed shots of Aftershock one after the other.
The shots – which are 40% proof – caused Alan to begin slurring his words, and he told the audience, “This has gone to sh**.”
However, the studio audience “egged him on” to down more, and he needed little persuasion, eventually declaring that he felt sick after spilling the drink down his jacket…
Things began to go the way of the pear when member Mark Feehily said to Alan, “Can we get straight to the bit where you give us the drink?”
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WESTLIFE yesterday spoke for the first time about their decision to split after 14 years in pop.
The lads ? Mark Feehily, 31, Shane Filan, 32, Nicky Byrne, 33, and Kian Egan, 31 ? helped me mop up my tears as they vowed: ?A reunion is not going to happen.?
Nicky confirmed: ?It?s not a publicity stunt.
?There was more money on the table from Sony Records as part of a re-negotiation but it feels right to see what else is out there.?
It?s clear from spending time with the guys there?s no secret agenda, they simply feel they?ve done all they can as a group.
Managed by X Factor judge Louis Walsh, 59, Westlife?s achievements are immense, including 14 No 1 hits, seven No 1 albums and 10 sell-out tours.
Mark revealed: ?Louis said to us: ?Whatever is wrong we?ll fix it,? but there?s nothing to fix. It?s a natural thing to happen. We couldn?t go on releasing albums until we died.?
KIM SHEDS A TEAR WITH THE BOYS
Westlife?s final single Lighthouse drops on November 13 and is followed by their Greatest Hits a week later.
They tour the UK and Ireland for the last time next May.
Shane explained: ?The tour will be the end of Westlife. We?re hoping to do one last extravagant show and it?s going to be horrendous when we come off stage, the worst day.?
Nicky agreed: ?Other bands who have breaks know they might come back. We?re saying we?re not.?
Kian is the only member of the group with confirmed plans, as a judge on Ireland?s The Voice.
Shane mused: ?I?d like to keep singing but we have no record deals.?
With The Wanted, JLS and One Direction flying the boyband flag, who do Westlife think can succeed them?
Kian said: ?I don?t see any of them lasting as long as we have.?
Mark agreed: ?Four or five years max for a boyband is normal.
?We lasted as we all get along. We?re quite freakish like that.?
like that.”
Freaks, nah, fantastic, yes.
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07/11/2011
Westlife's Nicky Byrne will host and narrate 'The Snowman Movie' this Christmas.
The show attracts audiences of all ages and will open at The University Concert Hall in Limerick, before traveling to Grand Canal Theatre in Dublin for a number of performances.
Byrne has said he is "very excited" to be part of the line-up, and will tell the story of James and the flying snowman as audiences watch the film on a big screen.
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If you wanna know how many Westlife fans are letting go the answer is very few as they sold out Croke Park this morning in minutes.
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ITV1 will be welcoming, Westlife: For The Last Time, in a farewell special featuring one of the biggest-selling boy bands in music over the last decade.
This unique one-off music spectacular will mark Westlife’s final TV appearance as the pop giants take to the stage to sing some of their greatest hits.
Over the past 14 years Westlife have had a staggering 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles and 11 top five albums. They have had countless awards and sold over 44 million records worldwide.
Westlife: For The Last Time will feature exclusive interviews with key figures in their story as well as archive footage which will provide a unique insight into the life of this world renowned band.
Guaranteed to be the hottest ticket in town, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Westlife for the final time, as the global superstars perform their biggest hits live in front of a studio audience.
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London, Nov 6 (ANI): Disbanded boyband Westlife have not heard a word from their former boss Simon Cowell after the group decided to go separate ways.
The TV magnate does not seem bothered that the Irish boys have hung their boots despite increasing his bulging bank balance by millions over the past 14 years.
“No, we’ve not heard anything from Simon at all, the Daily Star quoted one of the group’s singers Kian Egan as saying.
“We aren’t on his label anymore and I’m sure he’s really busy in America, so I’m just guessing he hasn’t had a chance,” he added. (ANI)
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Band member Nicky Byrne has revealed that the Mayo man is "devastated" by their plans to break up next year.
Byrne said: "We're worried we'll have to set up a helpline for Louis because he wasn't happy about it all."
He added: "He is devastated - genuinely. We met with him a few different times and he said 'You're your own guys but I don't think you should break up but it's not my decision.'"
Nicky further explained that Louis is still refusing to accept that the band will go their separate ways in 2012 after 14 years together.
Speaking to The Irish Daily Star newspaper he said: "We did a show the other night, a show to be aired at Christmas, billed as our last TV show and I said to Louis, 'So how are you feeling?' he said 'I don't want to talk about it'."
The Flying Without Wings singer added: "So he's not there yet, but he understands."
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WE’VE GOT OUR BEST LIFE BACK
Lizzie Catt with the Westlife boys
Wednesday November 16,2011
By Daily Express Reporter
AS WESTLIFE release their greatest hits album ahead of their last tour, the band have told Day & Night they feel a weight has been lifted now they’re calling time after 14 years
They appeared on shopping channel QVC to promote the album and told Day & Night’s Lizzie (pictured right with the band) they’re enjoying life in the group again now their 2012 split has been announced.
And Nicky Byrne, 33, Kian Egan, 31, Mark Feehily, 31, and Shane Filan, 32, said they’re looking forward to showing the world there’s more to them than bar stools and ballads.
Mark said: “We were all so worried and passionate about making the right choices it created a big ball of stress and that’s gone now. We’re back to enjoying life in Westlife instead of having this big cloud of pressure over us.”
Nicky added: “I don’t think we’ll deal with the enormity of what we’ve done until it actually happens. We’re loving riding the wave at the moment but it’s because it’s the end and we know that.”
Shane said the split had been on the cards for some time: “We tried changing labels in April from Syco to RCA when the cracks were showing to see if that would change anything. Nothing against RCA but the writing was on the wall even then. The Greatest Hits was happening this year anyway and it was getting harder to run the shop properly so we thought, let’s man up and knock it on the head.”
We’re back to enjoying life in Westlife instead of having this big cloud of pressure over us
Mark Feehily
But Mark insisted the boys will be back, albeit on their own: “Westlife’s public perception has been quite one dimensional. I think we could surprise people. We all have different loves and other abilities and hopefully they’ll come to the surface when we’re by ourselves.”
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Brian McFadden Not Making Appearance On Westlife Tour
Irish boyband Westlife have settled the score on the Brian McFadden reunion speculation – saying that there’s no chance fans will be seeing him back with the group on their farewell tour.
The band parted ways with their fifth member in 2004, and continued to tour and write material without him. Now they’ve secured their most lucrative tour deal so far, which they’ve planned to make their farewell tour, some fans were speculating (and hoping) that McFadden could make a comeback and return from his solo career to sing with his old makes once again – until Kian Egan told the Daily Mirror that it wouldn’t be happening.
“Some people do look at it like that,” Egan explained, “but the four of us have spent the past eight years working our asses off to keep it together. And he hasn’t.” He went on to say that if the five of them were to ever singer together again, it would be at an intimate gig – or during a drinking session. “Maybe a random gig. Or we could just get drunk together.”
Westlife embark on their final ever tour together next year in May. If you’re a fan, you simply cannot miss your chance to see the band before they call time on their illustrious, 14-year career. So make sure you check the dates and details below and grab yourself a ticket.
Westlife UK & Ireland Tour Dates are as follows:
Mon May 14th 2012 - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Tue May 15th 2012 - Echo Arena Liverpool, Liverpool
Thu May 17th 2012 - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Fri May 18th 2012 - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Sat May 19th 2012 - Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Sun May 20th 2012 - NEC - LG Arena, Birmingham
Tue May 22nd 2012 - Nottingham Arena, Nottingham
Wed May 23rd 2012 - The O2 Arena, London
Thu May 24th 2012 - The O2 Arena, London
Sat May 26th 2012 - Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
Sun May 27th 2012 - Glasgow SECC, Glasgow
Tue June 5th 2012 - Nottingham Arena, Nottingham
Thu June 7th 2012 - The O2 Arena, London
Fri June 8th 2012 - NEC - LG Arena, Birmingham
Sat June 9th 2012 - Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
Mon June 11th 2012 - Cardiff Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Tue June 12th 2012 - Sheffield Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield
Wed June 13th 2012 - Echo Arena Liverpool, Liverpool
Fri June 15th 2012 - Newcastle Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle Upon Tyne
Sat June 16th 2012 - Glasgow SECC, Glasgow
Sun June 17th 2012 - Glasgow SECC, Glasgow
Fri June 22nd 2012 - Croke Park Stadium, Dublin
Sat June 23rd 2012 - Croke Park Stadium, Dublin
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Westlife: No reunion with Brian
Westlife have ruled out a return for ex-member Brian McFadden as they gear up for next year's farewell tour.
The Irish boy band announced their split earlier this year and since then speculation has mounted that Brian, who left in 2004 will be making an appearance.
Westlife, who are quitting after 14 years have made it clear though, there will be no Robbie Williams-style reunion.
Kian Egan told the Daily Mirror: "Some people do look at it like that, but the four of us have spent the past eight years working our a***s off to keep it together. And he hasn't."
Kian, who announced he was expecting his first baby with wife Jodi Albert in July, admits there is a chance the five-piece could get back together but it in a more relaxed setting, he said: "Maybe a random gig. Or we could just get drunk together."
The boy band first hit the charts in 1998 and went on to sell 45 million records and have 14 number one singles. Cracks started to show for the band when they left Simon Cowell's label SyCo earlier this year after feeling "neglected" by their former mentor.
Nicky Byrne said they "felt unloved" but admitted without Simon they would never have experienced such success.
The band are now looking forward to their farewell tour and moving on with the rest of their lives. Mark Feehily said: "We're gonna have this huge tour to celebrate the last 14 years. We're looking back at something amazing."
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On Saturday the Cheerios Childline Concert took place in Dublin and several acts including Westlife, JLS, The Wanted, Cher Lloyd and Jedward all took to the stage.
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Nicky Byrne has revealed to 98FM that he would love a career in television when Westlife split next Summer after their two Farewell concerts at Croke Park. He particularly likes the buzz of live TV. He also told there are other elements of the entertainment business he wants to look into.
He has recently taken up an opportunity to narrate “The Snowman” at the Grand Canal Theatre. on December 11th. They approached him to do it long before Westlife announced their split and Nicky felt it would be a great opportunity to take up so he can’t wait.
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Westlife sign in for special Glasgow date
IRISH group Westlife will spark a rush by fans when they make a special visit to a Glasgow store next week.
The group, who have announced they will split next year, will be at HMV, Buchanan Street, on Monday morning.
Thousands of fans are expected to turn up in the hope of seeing Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan, who will be signing copies of their Greatest Hits CD from 9am.
By Melanie Finn
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Saturday November 12 2011
TOP boyband The Wanted have revealed their delight at supporting Westlife at their final gig in Croke Park next year.
And they said they're hoping to steal some of the chart-topping boybands' fans when they finally step down after 14 years.
"It's awesome that we're supporting them," said Irish star Siva Kaneswaran.
"As soon as we got into Dublin, we were told that Westlife had sold out Croke Park so that's great news for the support act.
"When we got confirmed as the support for their final gig, we went 'Yes' because all their fans are going to be like, 'Oh no, what am I doing to do now without Westlife?' and then we'll walk on stage. We've solved the problem for them."
Made up of Dubliner Siva, Nathan Sykes, Tom Parker, Max George and Jay McGuinness, they have made a big splash internationally supporting stars like Britney Spears and Justin Bieber.
And the Glad You Came stars said they will always look up to fellow boyband Westlife for how to do things right.
"I think anyone would love to replicate their success," said Nathan Sykes. "They're really humble and down-to-earth."
- Melanie Finn
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