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BACKSTREET BOYS AND WESTLIFE ACOUSTIC 2012

Westlife may not have been favored to win this competition, but from day one they proved they were fighters and were out to make a statement. They got everyone's attention early on when, amidst accusations of cheating, they fairly beat out fan favorites the Backstreet Boys in the first round. They had no trouble at all beating out their next two opponents, O-Town and the Beatles, and managed to get past newcomers the Wanted in the Final Four to ultimately take on the Jonas Brothers in the championship. This win in the Battle of the Boy Bands seems to come at a perfect time for the group because their 14-year career is about to come to an end. Westlife have decided to go their separate ways after the conclusion of their Greatest Hits Tour, which kicks off later this week and wraps up at the end of June in front of a hometown crowd in Dublin, Ireland. Congratulations to Westlife and to all their extremely loyal fans: You have certainly proved your devotion and didn't let up no matter how tough the competition was. Thanks to all the bands that participated. From newcomers One Direction, Mindless Behavior and Big Time Rush to veteran groups Boyz II Men and the Backstreet Boys, it was truly an epic tournament. But it wouldn't have been possible without all of you, the fans. All of your vigorous voting resulted in some shocking upsets, some heated matchups and some rally-from-behind wins, making this a true battle of the boy bands. 

IRISH BAND WESTLIFE has been voted the world’s best ever boyband in an MTV competition. MTV said that the Irish group received over 70 per cent of the final vote, easily beating the Jonas Brothers, the Backstreet Boys and the Beatles. “Congratulations to Westlife and to all their extremely loyal fans: You have certainly proved your devotion and didn’t let up no matter how tough the competition was,” MTV said this evening. Band member Brian McFadden left the group several years ago. Late last year, the remaining four members announced they were to separate after 14 years together. They are just about to start their Greatest Hits tour, which is due to finish up in Dublin’s Croke Park at the end of June. Band members Shane Filan and Mark Feehily have been tweeting their thanks to fans for supporting them in the MTV vote: 

Meanwhile, Nicky Byrne took the opportunity to poke fun at one of the losing contestants: 

Backstreet Boys Out Of Boy-Band Battle? Westlife Are Surprised Too 'When I saw the bands that were listed, I thought we haven't got a hope in hell in this,' group member Nicky Byrne says. By Christina Garibaldi (@ChristinaMTV) . The first round of MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands certainly shocked a lot of fans when Westlife overtook early favorites the Backstreet Boys. And fans aren't the only ones surprised by this early victory: Westlife themselves never thought they would be able to overtake BSB. "When I saw the bands that were listed, I thought we haven't got a hope in hell in this, especially being up against the Backstreet Boys, to be honest with you. When I looked, I thought, well, these guys are probably going to win this, gonna be there or thereabout," Westlife member Nicky Byrne told MTV News on Thursday (April 26) via Skype from Dublin, Ireland. "How it came about, I noticed it on Twitter and I went into the MTV website and I said, 'What's all this about?' and I see us up against the Backstreet Boys and I thought, 'Oh no, what a challenge that is!' So I put it on my Twitter account and it kind of snowballed from there," he continued. And snowball it did. The group beat the Backstreet Boys by a fairly large margin after their fans from all over the world rallied for their victory. Yet, according to Byrne, even though he's ecstatic with the win, he expects there will be no hard feelings between the two groups. "The funny thing is we've met the Backstreet Boys quite a number of times," Byrne said. "It will be interesting to see if and when we ever bump into the guys again to have a little bit of fun, a bit of a chat about it." Westlife, who have been together since 1998, had minimal success in the United States, with only one single, "Swear It Again," charting Stateside, back in 1999. Last year, the group announced that after 14 years they were calling it quits following their Greatest Hits Tour, which kicks off next month. "I think our manager really wanted us to announce it as a break, just to say to people that it's going to be a couple years. We'll do some different things on our own and see where we go," Byrne said. "But I think we all knew it was the right time to get away from each other for a long time. And genuinely, I would hate to think that I spent half of my life ? more than half my life with the lads ? I would hate to think that we would never sing again. But I think what we couldn't do was lead people on false promises, and you know, whatever the rest of us go on to do, we can't be holding on to maybe one day do a tour again. So it was the right decision to be made. Everybody is going to walk away from this with great memories and, most importantly, our friendship intact. " And even though they will remain close after the tour, Byrne is adamant that this will be the last time they will be together as a group. "Right now, there's no chance of anything ever again with Westlife," he said. "I know when I'm on my Twitter account, the amount of fans that would love me to say, or would love us all to say, 'No, there's still a hope, we'll do something down the road,' ... but right now, if that happens, that would be incredible. But we haven't even finished yet. The right thing to say ... is right now, Westlife, come June 23, will be no more." Before they go their separate ways, Westlife are still hoping to have some success in the United States, and what better way to do that than to win MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands? "What an amazing story it would be to finish our final 14 years to be named or even get far in this competition," Byrne said. "But even if we don't, we'll hold our heads very high and say we never cracked the States, but we gave them a run for their money." Voting in round two of MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands runs until noon ET on Monday, April 30. Winners are determined by fan votes, so if your favorite band made the cut, make sure you keep voting. Tune in to AMTV and MTV Hits for their boy-band video takeovers each day and make sure to spread the word on Twitter using the hashtag  and like us on Facebook for updates!

The Irish pop group were voted the best boyband during a two-week poll of an MTV audience of some 12million viewers, also beating The Wanted and Disney superstars, The Jonas Brothers. The foursome can head out on their farewell tour next week proudly embracing the title after they emerged as the surprise winners of the poll of 32 bands, voted for by an audience of US and European music lovers. A spokesman for MTV was quoted in the Irish Daily Mail as saying: “The fans have spoken. After two weeks of intense match-ups and more than 12 million votes Westlife have come out on top in MTV’s Battle of the Boybands.” This win in the Battle of the Boy Bands seems to come at a perfect time for the group because their 14-year career is about to come to an end. Westlife have decided to go their separate ways after the conclusion of their Greatest Hits Tour, which kicks off later this week and wraps up at the end of June in Croke Park.

Westlife Call Beatles 'The Ultimate Boy Band' 'We'll just leave right now,' Nicky Byrne jokes when told Westlife are facing Beatles in third round of Battle of the Boy Bands. By Christina Garibaldi (@ChristinaMTV) . MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands is certainly heating up. We have seen some shocking eliminations throughout the first two rounds, with the Backstreet Boys, 'NSYNC and New Kids on the Block all making early exits in the competition. And as we head into the Final Four on Wednesday, fans will be tirelessly voting for their favorites to move on, hoping to land a spot in the championship matchup. A clear fan favorite in this battle has been Irish boy band Westlife. The group so far has taken down the Backstreet Boys and O-Town, but in the Elite Eight round, they are up against the original boy band, the Beatles. We spoke to Westlife member Nicky Byrne via Skype from Dublin, Ireland, as the group rehearses for their final farewell tour, and he told us what he thought their chances were for beating their latest opponent. "We'll just leave now, we'll just leave right now," Byrne laughed when told he was facing the Beatles. "The only thing we have in our favor is that our fanbase would still be very, I suppose, relatively young and want for Westlife to win. I mean, it goes without saying the Beatles are the ultimate boy band and nobody is ever going to take that crown." Westlife still have a good chance of advancing to the next round. And if they continue to maintain momentum, they could ultimately face the new wave of boy bands, which Byrne admits he is a fan of. "You've got the Wanted coming through and One Direction, and it's brilliant for them. I've met the guys, both bands, lovely guys, an Irish guy in each band, which is great," Byrne said. "It's brilliant for pop music. The Wanted, they're supporting our stadium shows here in Ireland, so they'll be our support band, so that's pretty cool. I suppose a little bit of me probably thinks I wish I was 20 again to do it all over again. But you have to hold your hands up — we've had a wonderful time and it's time to pass the reins on to someone else."

Westlife 'Honored' To Win MTV's Battle Of The Boy Bands 'It's been an amazing 14 years for us, and to top it off, to win this is really, really incredible,' Nicky Byrne says in a message to fans. By Christina Garibaldi . Fans of Westlife spent the past two weeks tirelessly voting for their favorite group to win MTV's Battle of the Boy Bands, and all their hard work paid off. On Monday, the Irish boy band won it all, defeating the Jonas Brothers in the final round. And for all those Westlife fans: Don't think your voting went unnoticed. All four members, who are in London rehearsing for their upcoming farewell tour, took time out of their busy schedule to send over a message to MTV News thanking each and every one of you for their big win. Westlife Thank Fans For Their Battle Of The Boy Bands Triumph "Hi, MTV, we just found out that we've been voted the #1 ultimate boy band of all time. Thank you very much, guys!" Westlife's Shane Filan said. "We are very, very honored." Nicky Byrne added, "I just want to say: Thank you to all of our followers, on Weibo in China, on Twitter around the world, on Facebook and everybody. To all the bands we beat, well done. It's been an amazing 14 years for us, and to top it off, to win this is really, really incredible, so thank you to everybody who voted. See you on tour!" After the first round of competition, when Westlife took down fan favorites the Backstreet Boys, we talked with Byrne via Skype, who told us a win in this competition would mean a lot to the band, since they have decided to break up after 14 years following the end of their tour next month. "What an amazing story it would be to finish our final 14 years to be named or even get far in this competition," Byrne said. "But even if we don't, we'll hold our heads very high and say we never cracked the States, but we gave them a run for their money." Well, Westlife, you certainly have! Congratulations to the group and all their dedicated fans.

Republic of Ireland group Westlife have been crowned the ultimate boyband in the world in a poll which saw them overtake legends like The Beatles. The Dublin pop group were voted the best boyband during a two-week poll of an MTV audience of some 12million viewers, also beating The Wanted and Disney superstars, The Jonas Brothers. The foursome can head out on their farewell tour next week proudly embracing the title after they emerged as the surprise winners of the poll of 32 bands, voted for by an audience of US and European music lovers. A spokesman for MTV was quoted in the Irish Daily Mail as saying: “The fans have spoken. After two weeks of intense match-ups and more than 12 million votes Westlife have come out on top in MTV’s Battle of the Boybands.”

 brain & delta (live)

 They met while recording their duet "Almost Here", on August, 2004, an their first kiss was after the Royal Variety in London, on December 2004.
Later, the relationship became public, when Brian and Delta was caught on camera on their South African Christmas Holiday.

Brian about their first kiss: "At the Royal Variety she was wearing a lovely dress and she looked stunning. At the after-show party I snogged her. I don't think she was too drunk but I was a bit."






18/04/2008 4:13:00 PM.

Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden have pushed back their wedding until 2009 as both singers spend this year focused on their careers.

The couple, who became engaged late last year, had originally hoped to marry this year.

But they will spend much of this year apart, with Goodrem in America for months at a time trying to crack the US market, and McFadden travelling in support of his second solo album, Set In Stone.

"Next year's the wedding," McFadden said.

"We've had three years together every single day, and I think that whole three years was preparing for this year apart.

"It's been hard but because we're so prepared for it we knew we'd just work hard this year and try to set up the rest of our life."

Set In Stone, which is being released Saturday, is the result of two-and-a-half years' work for McFadden.

The 28-year-old wrote 150 songs for the album, with 10 finding their way onto the record.

"When I'm in writing mode I pretty much write every single day," McFadden explained.

"As I wrote I went through a period of writing rock songs for a couple of months, and then pop songs, and dance songs and all different kinds of songs.

"By the end I just kind of had the best ones from each genre, because I wanted every track to be something different ... to keep me from getting bored."

McFadden said most of the songs are autobiographical, but since his last album, Irish Son, that is not so obvious because he is better at disguising their meaning a little.

"I didn't really leave much to the imagination in the lyrics (on Irish Son), so this time I wanted to make sure people wouldn't judge me from the words," he said.

"I wrote the lyrics in the way that they could have three or four different meanings.

"If people ask me I'll just say make up your own mind."

However, McFadden readily admits Like Only A Woman Can is about Goodrem.

The entire album is dedicated to his fiancee, whom he credits with having a "massive" influence on him, musically.

"I didn't really want to write songs or perform any more and she just kind of dragged me out of that box," he said.

"She breathed a lot of confidence into me as well, which I never had."

While he is a star in his own right in the UK from his days in the Irish boy band Westlife, in Australia McFadden is better known for being Mr Delta Goodrem.

He doesn't get sick of talking about her, but would like to be recognised primarily for his music.

"It can be a little frustrating at times," he said.

"I did something last night where they introduced me as Delta Goodrem's boyfriend Brian McFadden.

"I'm like, 'Am I actually changing my passport to that now? Is that my full title?"

"It would be nice to have the tag: Brian McFadden, musician and singer. And Delta's Goodrem's partner."




Brian, Delta & Kids

Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden was back in his home-town of Dublin at the weekend with his Australian girlfriend Delta Goodrem and his two adorable children Molly & Lily Sue...






Deltra Goodrem talks wedding plans
Former Neighbours actress turned recording artist Delta Goodrem has revealed that she is in the process of planning her wedding to singer Brian McFadden for 2009.

The 24-year-old bride-to-be is currently making preparations to tie the knot with the Westlife star later next year.

Speaking about her wedding plans at a recent red carpet event in New York City, Delta commented: "It's going, it's on its way. We're looking forward to it, we're looking forward to getting married now.

"We're just trying to organise it at the moment."

The celebrity couple announced their engagement in November 2007, after three years of dating.

A year before they met, when Delta was just 18, she was diagnosed with a form of cancer - Hodgkin's Lymphoma.

Brian separated from ex-wife, reality TV personality Kerry Katona, in 2004 after two years of marriage. During their relationship they had two daughters, Molly, seven and five-year-old Lilly-Sue.






Brian McFadden and girlfriend Delta Goodrem enjoy dinner with her mother and brother at an Italian restaurant in Castle Hill. Sydney, Australia. 18TH MARCH 2006






December 07, 2008

FOR their sake, let's hope they can break the curse of the singing lovebirds. Romantic bliss has famously eluded such crooning duos as Ike and Tina, Sonny and Cher, Peter and Liza, Kylie and Jason.

Now Delta Goodrem and her Irish fiance Brian McFadden have announced they will hit the stage together when the lovers team up for her Believe Again national tour in January.

Goodrem is billing beau McFadden as her "special guest" rather than her "support act".

It will be Goodrem's first national tour in more than three years. She has been concentrating on cracking the US market.

Since leaving the group Westlife, father-of-two McFadden has achieved success with his solo album Set in Stone featuring hits such as Like Only a Woman Can and Twisted.

"I'm very much looking forward to the tour with Delta. Performing is what we love to do and being on the road and touring together makes it even more special," said McFadden.

Published: 31 Jul 2009

LOVEBIRDS BRIAN McFADDEN and DELTA GOODREM have called in security experts after the ex WESTLIFE star was overwhelmed by a torrent of abuse on Twitter.
Brian has exchanged a series of public online arguments with a cyber stalker, who calls himself "Saviour Mankind".

The chilling messages profess Saviour's love and "ownership" of Delta, while urging Brian to call off their engagement.

In one sickening post he wrote: "Brian McFadden if you harm a hair on Delta's head you will be the first to return to the gas chamber."

Angry Brian then replied: "You are close to harm! I have your address and if something unfortunate happens to you I will be very sad! Be carefull (sic).

"If you tweet me or Delta one more thing I will find you and hurt you."

The cyber stalker also called himself the "last new soul of our kind" and in a message for Delta said: "I'll kill to be with you."

Brian, 29, and Delta, 24, are now reportedly



considering seeking a restraining order.

Delta's agent Jennifer Fontaine told Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "We have security looking into it."

Brian and Delta were due to tie the knot at Christmas but the nuptials have now been delayed.




Brian McFadden and Delta break-up rumours




Former Westlife singer Brian McFadden out and about in sunny Santa Monica, California




News that Brian McFadden moved out of the Sydney house he shared with Delta Goodrem and into a roomie situation is a sign the betrothed lovebirds may have split, according to a UK report.


The UK Mirror claims McFadden's move not to mention Goodrem's clearing out to the US is to allow the pair to get a bit of 'space'.


The paper notes the couple has been 'engaged for yonks with no sign of an actual wedding'. McFadden, previously married to the notorious Kerry Katona, is now shacking up with a video director, Dan Reisinger.


The father of two girls with Katona has cleared out of the $2million (£1.2million) Sydney home he shared with the clean-cut Australian songstress while she jets back to the US for yet another attempt to break it and make it there.


A friend said: 'Delta working away a lot in LA and Brian gets bored by himself. Dan been staying with his mum for a while and wanted to spread his wings a bit so they decided it would make sense to move in together. They get on really well and are looking for a bachelor pad they can call home.


'Delta hasn,t been around to have any say in what he does, things don,t seem great between them at the moment. Brian kids have been asking when they will get married, but they have come up with excuse after excuse blaming everything from hectic work schedules and the World Cup, to Brian,s smoking habit. Now his moving out sounds like alarm bells to us. Delta must be worried he is going to be doing some serious partying with his pal.'


llllllllllllll



April 08, 2010
LA style is fine in Bondi too for Delta Goodrem

LA style ... Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem in Bondi
AFTER just a few months in Los Angeles, Delta Goodrem has become accustomed to Hollywood.
Rocking the messy hair/mega footwear look that is all the rage in la la land, the songbird cut a swath through Bondi this week following lunch with her fiance-forever, Brian McFadden.

The I Believe singer returned to Oz last week to spend Easter with family and has been organising a super-secretive 30th birthday party for her Irish crooner.

Due to take place this Saturday, guests will include McFadden's good mate and fellow Australia's Got Talent judge Kyle Sandilands and wife Tamara Jaber.




McFadden's parents in dark over 'wedding'

Friday July 02 2010

SINGER Brian McFadden has not contacted his family about whether reports that he married Delta Goodrem recently are true.

The McFadden family insist they have heard nothing from him to suggest his alleged secret wedding took place last month.

The former Westlife star's parents Brendan and Mairead told the Herald that Brian (30) has not contacted them to say that he and Delta are now married.

"I don't know anything about it," said Brian's father Brendan. "They are big enough now to do whatever they want."

Brendan said he would be happy to confirm the news if he was sure it was true but insisted Brian has not been in touch to tell him.

"The only one who has told me they're married is you," he said.

The Real to Me singer, who has made Delta's native Sydney his permanent home, has been referring to his gorgeous blonde girlfriend as his "wife" for the last two weeks.

They have also been snapped wearing rings on their wedding fingers.





DELTA Goodrem has just thrown a glass of red wine in a fit of rage. The target the forehead of her fiance, Brian McFadden. Her aim is spot on.
A bleeding McFadden is eyeing off a chainsaw with a destructive glint in his eyes.

He's swearing at her, she's yelling at him. Then the director says "cut".



The loved-up pair are playing combative lovers in the video for their duet Mistakes.



Loosely based on Brangelina's Mr and Mrs Smith, the clip starts with a romantic dinner that triggers an explosive domestic dispute.



The pair may have the occasional argument, but this fictitious one is turbo-nuclear.



On set in Sydney last week, director Dan Reisinger is yelling obscenities at Goodrem to get her in the (war) zone for the fiery feud.

"It's not every day Australia's sweetheart gets called a f----g b----,"Reisinger laughs.



"I had to get her motivated."



"The first word I said after 'cut' was sorry . . . before re-loading and letting her have it again."



While Goodrem taps into her Logie-winning Neighbours days for angst-on-cue ("Brian's like 'I don't want to offend you' I'm going, 'Come on!"'), McFadden struggles to abuse his partner of six years.


"The happy bits are easy," McFadden says, "trying to get each other riled up is hard."


Reisinger, director of McFadden's last two videos, closed the set after a string of failed takes.


"They are such private people when it comes to their relationship, which is why it is so successful," Reisinger says.


"Brian was reluctant to hurt Delta's feelings, particularly in front of strangers on set. She kept trying to reassure him it was just acting, but he couldn' t bring himself to insult her where it hurts, a thing anyone's partner knows better than anyone else."


The words hurt, but McFadden is at ease with the string of button-pushing stunts.


Goodrem makes a digital smoothie when she throws his watch in a blender and smashes one of his platinum discs.


She uses the disc to slice his guitar (James Bond fan Reisinger's nod to villian Oddjob) while he retaliates by using the chainsaw to turn Goodrem's piano into firewood.


"Delta was genuinely traumatised by us doing that," Reisinger says. "It was like us chainsawing the family pet."


Goodrem, worried about instrument karma, admits it was like "a horror movie".


"I feel physically sick," she says. "When we finished the treatment the biggest issue I had with the whole video is the chainsawing of the piano."


McFadden researched the lineage of the doomed instrument.


"There'll be a lot of people pissed off we ruined a piano, but apparently the piano was in the graveyard and about to be destroyed anyway," he says. "No real pianos were harmed in the making of this video."

The duet, like their previous collaboration Almost Here, is anything but a love song.


"We don't feel the need to express that in public," Goodrem says.


"Privately we're very romantic and very much in love."


McFadden, meanwhile, is seeing how long it takes to microwave Goodrem's teddy bear until it blows up a brand new Freedom kitchen.

"Everyone has their arguments,"he says. "This is the biggest one we'll ever have! HEAR Mistakes (Universal) out September 17.





Broken glass, a chainsaw and a teddy bear in the microwave...it's a quiet evening in for Delta Goodrem and Brian McFadden

September 2010
It's the sort of on-screen outburst you'd expect from an Eminem video, not two popstars known for their wholesome images and happy relationship.

But in Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem's new video for their duet Mistakes, they're subverting their goody-goody image and shown having a row of epic proportions.

The real life couple begin by having a romantic meal, which then degenerates into a blazing and violent argument.



Brian McFadden takes a chainsaw to real-life girlfriend Delta Goodrem's piano in the video for their new duet, Mistakes









Goodrem launches a glass of red wine at McFadden's head. The video begins with the couple enjoying a romantic meal but erupts into a violent row

Daily Mirror 2/04/2011

Brian McFadden splits from Delta Goodrem


EX-Westlife star Brian McFadden and fiancee Delta Goodrem have separated after a series of rows.

The couple, who have been engaged since 2007, announced the end of their seven-year relationship yesterday.



It's thought the pair were finding it hard to maintain their long-distance relationship after selling their home in Sydney. Delta, 26, bought a house in LA earlier this year while writing and recording her fourth album. Brian, 30, has stayed in Sydney with pals filming the next series of Australia's Got Talent, in which he's a judge. A friend said: The conversations were getting more and more fraught. It's really sad.

The pair yesterday issued a statement saying they Care no longer engaged and have mutually decided to end their relationship. Brian later tweeted: I love Delta and always will. She is one of God's living angels. I thank her for giving me the best years of my life.

Brian had recently insisted they were still planning the wedding. He said: Of course we'll get married, we just haven't set a day yet. We're trying to organise our schedules so we can be in the same place at the same time. But we won't just rock up to a registry office. Delta,s a princess, and she deserves a proper wedding.

ISPCC launches anti-bullying week
Monday, April 23, 2012 - 12:29 PM



The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) is this week highlighting the negative impact bullying has on children.

The ISPCC today launched its Anti-Bullying Awareness week calling on supporters to buy and wear a shield badge, showing their support for the ISPCC and rights of all children and young people in Ireland.

The organisatyion will be running a 24-hour helpline - contactable on 1800 66 66 77 - throughout the week for anyone who needs advice on tackling bullying.

The campaign is being supported by celebrities including Mark Feehily, Brian O'Driscoll, Brendan O'Carroll, Cher Lloyd, Colin Farrell, Jamie Heaslip, Jedward, Keith Barry, Laura Whitmore, Louis Walsh, Olly Murs, Saoirse Ronan, The Wanted and Westlife.

Westlife star Feehily said he knows 35-year-olds who still cry themselves to sleep because of bullying they experienced as children.

A former victim of bullying himself, the singer said it led to a complete withdrawal from a social life.

"I just kind of… held it all inside," he said.

"I was too afraid to tell anyone about it.

"I was scared that if I told people it would make it 10 times worse."

Caroline O'Sullivan, Director of Services with the ISPCC, said bullying has a seriously damaging effect on children.

"It has a huge, damaging effect on young people, particularly… following a long period of bullying," Ms O'Sullivan said.

"They effectively don't view themselves as being capable or effective individuals that are worthwhile.

"Bullying affects self-esteem; children feel isolated; they become withdrawn; they become depressed and they are insecure.

"For some children… that leads them to consider suicide."

Tuesday April 24 2012

WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily has had counselling to deal with the severe bullying he suffered as a teenager.

The newly single chart-topper, who recently split from fiance photographer Kevin McDaid, confessed that the dark memories of what he endured during his school days still haunt him.

The 31-year-old told the Herald: "I'm not afraid to say that I've definitely had some counselling.

"It's weird the stigma that can be attached to counselling, I don't know where that came from, but as I say, yeah, I have done it and I think it's a fantastic thing to do."




Break-up

He was speaking at the launch of the first ISPCC Anti-Bullying Awareness Week in Dublin's Westbury Hotel.

Mark also broke his silence on his relationship with Kevin and confessed he has found it difficult to get over the split.

"It's still very fresh for me ... Talking about it isn't something I really want to do.

"It's fresh and like anybody, you take everything as it comes.

"It's my first major relationship and obviously my first break-up, so I'm dealing with it."

The Sligo man is now setting his mind on reuniting on stage with Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan for Westlife's Farewell Tour.

labutler@herald.ie







Mark Feehily was joined by The Voice contestant Keira Bryne



Westlife star Mark Feehily says he knows 35-year-old’s who still cry themselves to sleep because of bullying they experienced as children.

The popstar has joined forces with the ISPCC to highlight the issue of bullying.

A number of people from the entertainment worldincluding Jedward and Louis Walsh will wear a ‘blue shield’ badge to show their support for those affected.

Mark says childhood bullying can shape persons life forever.

He says for him it lead to a complete withdrawal from a social life

Wednesday Nov 30 2011

IT’S ONE of the oldest PR tricks around, wear a wedding ring; appear loved up, and bingo – the press will speculate that you are after getting hitched.

Brian McFadden and Vogue Williams clearly hoped to hit the headlines when they appeared at the MTV awards last night in Sydney with one of them wearing a wedding band and the other keeping her ring hand firmly out of sight of waiting photographers.


The pair have been inseparable since the model relocated to Sydney after meeting McFadden in a Donegal night club earlier this year.


McFadden tweeted from the awards: “My girl VogueWilliams is so f**king beautiful. Just sayin”.


He split from Australian star Delta Goodrem shortly before meeting Williams and was married to Kerry Katona with whom he has two daughters.


McFadden has been sporting the gold wedding band on and off for a few weeks, including during an appearance on an Australian TV chat show. Showbiz websites speculated he was sending a message to ex fiancé Goodrem, who is now dating superstar Nick Jonas, eight years her junior. Goodrem is the darling of the Australian press, and photos of her and Jonas are much sought after by newspapers and magazines.


A spokesperson for McFadden said the ring belonged to someone close to the former Westlife star who has passed away and was now worn by the singer "for safe keeping".


And as to why he is wearing it on his ring finger:


"I think that's the only finger it fits on."

From the fairway to the red carpet: Brian McFadden and Vogue Williams scrub up well for charity dinner after teeing off
By Emily Sheridan

August 2011

















Just a few hours earlier, they were looking far from glamorous in slacks and golf shoes.
But after struggling through a charity golf tournament, Brian McFadden's girlfriend Vogue Williams looked much more at home getting dressed up for the red carpet.
Following a game of golf for Ronan Keating's cancer charity in honour of his late mother, the couple changed into their glad rags for the dinner.

While ex-Westlife singer, 31, went for the smart casual look in a black ensemble, his Irish girlfriend Williams, 25, showed off her stunning figure in a red and orange bandage dress.
Admitting she was a 'bad golfer', it looked like Williams was much more comfortable at the dinner at the K Club in Straffan, County Kildare - 30 kilometres west of Dublin.
The golf and dinner were raising money for the Marie Keating Foundation, a charity started by Ronan in 1998 after the death of his mother from breast cancer.
Teed off: Earlier that day, the couple were in slacks and golf shoes as they joined Ronan Keating at a charity golf tournament
On Wednesday, Keating is preparing to swim across the Irish Sea from Holyhead to Dublin to raise money for the charity.
Sir Richard Branson was due to join the singer, but had to pull out following the fire on his island Necker in the Caribbean last week.
McFadden went public with Williams in May - just a month after ending his engagement with Australian singer Delta Goodrem.
Williams is a star in her native Ireland due to the reality TV show Fade Street, about a group of four twentysomething women living in Dublin and inspired by The Hills.
Time to party: McFadden and Williams chatted to Keating ahead of his swim across the Irish Sea on Wednesday
The couple met in a Letterkenny nightclub and within weeks Williams flew to Australia to spend time with the Australia's Got Talent judge.
Australia-based McFadden has been spending the last few weeks in Ireland looking after his daughters Molly and Lilly-Sue while their mother, ex-wife Kerry Katona is in the Celebrity Big Brother house.
Earlier this month, he revealed he was 'in love' with his new girlfriend.
He tweeted: 'Being in love is the best feeling in the world...
'It sounds soft but nothing great in life you achieve is worth it unless you can share it with someone else.'
Feeling confident?: Williams admitted she was a 'bad golfer' ahead of the game

Vogue looking forward to turkey on the beach


Tuesday December 13 2011










MODEL Vogue Williams will be spending her first Christmas Down Under as her romance with Brian McFadden continues apace.

The Herald can reveal how the Fade Street beauty has "no plans" to fly back home to Ireland for the Yuletide season and instead she is looking forward to some turkey on the beach.

But the 24-year-old won't have to wait too long to see some members of her family -- her equally gorgeous sister Amber will be joining her in Sydney.

"Vogue's having an absolute ball over there. She loves the weather and the lifestyle and herself and Brian are getting on like a house on fire.


"Ireland's dead at the moment, there's nothing going on and there's not half as much modelling work as there used to be.

"She wants to make a name for herself over there as a DJ and has thought about signing up with an agency as well, so she has lots of plans for Australia," said a source.

The pair were recently rumoured to even be considering getting engaged, despite only dating since last April. But they are clearly smitten with each other.

The couple fell for each other after meeting in a Donegal club, just weeks after Aussie songstress Delta Goodrem ended her long-term relationship with father-of-two Brian (31).

"He just makes me laugh -- he has a gorgeous personality," said Vogue. "It was his personality and his sense of humour that attracted me. That, plus the fact that we're very similar people."

She accompanied him to Australia last May for what was meant to be a two-week holiday but ended up staying there for most of the summer as she hung out with his celebrity pals like Dannii Minogue and Kyle Sandilands.

The DJ and model came back last August to sort out a few work matters before flying back to Oz with her other half.

Brian has been living in Australia for the past number of years after falling for songbird Delta.

The pair announced their split on April 1 after deciding it just wasn't working -- and the singer clearly wasted little time in finding a new love.

- Melanie Finn

Brian McFadden and Vogue Williams to marry
Former Westlife singer
Brian McFadden has revealed that he is engaged to his Irish model girlfriend Vogue Williams, after proposing to her during his tour with Stevie Nicks back in November. Brian and Vogue have been dating for eight months, following his split from Australian singer Delta Goodrem, who is now dating Nick Jonas.

McFadden explained,
"It's early to be engaged when you think about how long we've been together, but not when you consider the amount of time we've spent together, we've literally spent every second of every day together for eight months now. Vogue and I are actually setting a date and we're actually getting married." Brian also stated that he and Vogue have informed their previous partners about their engagement.

He added, "We've let them know out of respect. They both went, 'Great, as long as you're happy,' because they're both happy as well and have moved on. We don't have any nasty 'ex' animosity with our recent partners." While Brian McFadden and Delta Goodrem still have a friendly relationship, he and his ex wife Kerry Katona do not see eye to eye and Brian recently admitted that he was disgusted by Kerry’s claims that he does not contact his daughters very often.




........

Friday January 13 2012

NEWLY-engaged Vogue Williams has admitted she was bowled over by boyfriend Brian McFadden's proposal - and the size of the ring.

The 26-year-old from Howth was presented with a massive square-cut diamond ring by the former Westlife star.

"When he showed me the ring, I really couldn't say no," Vogue said.

Divorced dad-of-two Brian (31), who is from Artane in Dublin, admitted that he popped the question to his fiancee in November -- and the pair managed to keep schtum about their news for two months. He proposed while touring with Stevie Nicks.

The proposal came just seven months after the former Westlife singer split from Aussie singer Delta Goodrem, to whom he was engaged for seven years.

Before his relationship with Delta, he was married to reality TV star Kerry Katona, who is mother to his two children Molly and Lilly-Sue. His daughters live in the UK with their mum, regularly visiting Brian's mother Mairead in Dublin.

While McFadden had planned to be a "hermit" after his relationship with Delta ended, he instantly fell for Williams, whom he met in Ireland while home visiting his daughters, he told OK! magazine. The pair met in a nightclub in Donegal where former Fade Street star Vogue was performing a DJ set. She flew to Australia to be with Australia's Got Talent judge Brian just weeks later.

McFadden told the magazine he knew he wanted to marry Vogue soon after meeting her.

"It's early [to be engaged] when you think about how long we've been together, but not when you consider the amount of time we've spent together ... we've literally spent every second of every day together for eight months now," he said.

"We've let (our exes) know out of respect," McFadden said. "They both went 'Great, as long as you're happy' because they're both happy as well and have moved on."

McFadden said, unlike his lengthy engagement to Goodrem, there will be a wedding this year, probably in Europe.

"I never really planned to get married then," McFadden says of Goodrem. "Vogue and I are actually setting a date and we're actually getting married."

McFadden is due to release a new single, Wrap My Arms, next month.

Last night, Vogue broke the news to friends in Dublin via her Twitter page.

"Engaged. Couldn't be happier," she wrote.

Fade Street co-star Louise Johnston told the Herald the news came as little surprise to her.

"I'm really happy for them, they are made for each other, we all knew it was going to happen at some stage. I've met Brian a few times and it's clear they are in love."

hnews@herald.ie

Get the Look: Vogue Williams

This time last year they didn’t know each other, fast forward a mere 8 months and now their engaged! It really has been a whirlwind romance for Irish model Vogue Williams and one-time Westlife member Brian McFadden. Last night the couple shared their joy with family and friends at a party in Harry’s on the Green, Dublin. Vogue proudly flashed her diamond engagement ring which was complemented by the stunning Rachel Gilbert Dress she chose for the evening’s festivities.




The blush coloured scalloped silk dress looked incredible on the former fade street star, who opted to give this feminine dress an edgy twist with a black leather biker jacket, tights and black patent Christian Louboutin pumps. Interestingly Vogues choice of dress may have been a nod to her newly adopted home of Australia. Designer Rachel Gilbert is an Aussie native and has become known for her signature luxury embellishments, which is clearly illustrated by the flapper style beading in Vogues dress.

,,,,,,


AFTER initially planning an extravagant wedding with hundreds of guests, Brian McFadden and his bride-to-be Vogue Williams are to marry in a low-key ceremony in Europe later this year.
And afterwards, the expat Irish couple plan on making Australia their permanent home and bringing up their kids here.

"It'd be a nice place for kids to grow up," Williams tells us.


"I definitely would want to stay here. I love it here so I have no reason to go back to the cold."

Williams, 26, met McFadden, 31, at an Irish nightclub last year.

She's now building a career for herself as a DJ and model and has signed on as an ambassador for Puma. Williams will also be the ambassador for the Future Music Festival VIP marquee at Randwick Racecourse on March 10.

"It didn't just happen overnight but it's definitely worked out. I'm glad I'm finally able to work," Williams says.

Williams - who has two degrees in construction and used to work on a London building site - joked that The X Factor judge's fame in Australia hasn't hurt her career options here: "I got a bit of a leg-up off Brian, which isn't bad. No shame in that."


,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Vogue's 'dirty dancing' on her big day




By NIAMH HORAN
Sunday Mar 4 2012

Guests at the wedding of Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden could be in for a big surprise -- if the model's latest TV show Dancing With The Stars is anything to go by.

The TV star has joked that she may pull out a few Dirty Dancing moves, which she picks up on the celebrity TV show, when she marries the chart-topping singer-songwriter this autumn.

And the pretty DJ has just been signed up to one of the biggest reality shows in Australia.

"I don't think Brian's forte is ballroom dancing, but it will be good for the wedding dance. I could teach him a few dirty dancing moves. Maybe we'll perform some lifts on the big day," she quipped.

"I loved the movie Dirty Dancing so I'm looking forward to learning all the moves and hopefully doing a couple of lifts too."

And the Fade Street star says she is looking forward to the rigorous dance workouts to get fit in time for the couple's big day.

"I'm definitely looking forward to the exercise benefits and getting fit -- if I make it through the first couple of nights and get to stay on the show.

"It'll be a great pre-wedding diet. It was the first thing my mom said -- 'Oh, you're going to get so fit from it'."

The model, who was spotted looking tanned and trim in a tiny bikini as she soaked up the sun at Sydney's Tamarama Beach last week, revealed her nerves at making it through the first night.

"I think it's a worry for everyone -- 'what if I get kicked off on the first night?' -- but I don't think I'll cry. Well, I might, actually," she laughed.

"I used to dance years ago at The Factory [a nightclub], but that was purely hip hop dance. I've never done ballroom dancing before, everything will be new. So that's pretty nerve-wracking."

But she says she will have her fiance there to support her each week as she battles it out with other stars, including former AFL player Brendan Fevola and Danielle Spencer.

"Brian works on Australia's Got Talent on Sundays too and that is also recorded in Melbourne, so he'll come down to the set of Dancing with the Stars to support me when he's finished recording there."

The pair will dominate Sunday night television in Australia when their shows go out to millions across the country at the same time.

It's been a whirlwind year for Williams, during which she started dating the former Westlife star, moved to Australia and became engaged last November.

The model has been busy with a host of modelling and DJ gigs but this is her biggest break since moving to Australia last year.

Unconfirmed reports say the couple will tie the knot in Florence in September, but the pair have been keeping tight-lipped on their plans for the most anticipated Irish wedding of the year.

- NIAMH HORAN

.............

Bit needy? Brian McFadden and Vogue Williams to have joint hen and stag dos

Brian McFadden and his model fiancée Vogue Williams hate being separated – how sweet… and sad



Vogue Williams and Brian McFadden are planning two joint stag and hen bashes, because they can’t bear to be apart for more than 24 hours.

The smitten couple, who are getting married in September, decided to that they couldn’t face being away from each other after only spending one day apart since meeting a year ago.

And in a bid to make sure none of their friends scattered around the world feel left out, Vogue revealed they will be having celebrations in Australia and Dublin.

The 25-year-old confirmed: "We have decided to have two joint stag and hen girly nights, one in Australia and one closer to home."

This will allow Vogue to keep her eye on Brian – after his encounter with a lap-dancer on his stag night before his first marriage to Kerry Katona.


Brian and Vogue also like to touch at all times, although she wears a cape to stay strong in case he needs the toilet



Brian and Vogue, who live in Australia, are set to tie the knot in Florence, Italy, in front of a small group of celebrity pals. And hopefully some real ones.

But since landing a spot on the Oz version of Dancing With The Stars, Vogue admitted she's had no time to plan the big day.

Now the panicked bride-to-be is looking at hiring a pricey A-list wedding planner to make her ideas a reality.


Vogue is a big fan of Westlife... and Google

Vogue said: "I was really starting to panic the other day so I Googled 'flowers' and 'cakes' for a while and felt great again.

"It reinforced that I know exactly what I want, but I might just need some help organising it."

Good old Google, eh? Better hope someone’s got an iPhone on them in case Vogue gets cold feet on the big day. Particularly because the model still hasn't decided what dress to wear.

But Vogue is definitely planning on "going girly" after being inspired by the glitzy costumes on her new reality show.

She said: "When we were at the photo shoot for Dancing With The Stars I couldn't stop spinning around in the dresses.

"I'm definitely going to go girly for the big day."

Brian, 31, was previously engaged to Aussie singer and actress Delta Goodrem, but after splitting a year ago he went straight on to date Vogue.


However, the couple have shrugged off concerns at how quickly their relationship became serious.

Brian said: "It's early when you think about how long we've been together but not when you consider the amount of time we've spent together.

"We've spent every second of every day together."

That's physically impossible, stop being silly Brian.

Brian McFadden – Vogue will be bitchy on Dancing with the stars





Wednesday April 04 2012

BRIAN McFadden has said his fiancee Vogue Willams will be bitchy when she appears on the Australian version of Dancing with the stars.

The former ‘Fade Street’ star will take part in the celebrity dancing competition which begins its run in two weeks.


McFadden was asked by National Features if Williams had begun to ‘trash talk’ her rivals, to which he said “Not yet, as soon as the live shows start, it'll be on...This one's a bitch. That one’s a?” to which Williams interjected “Shut up, you're making me sound like a bitch.”


Williams claims she has her eyes firmly on victory, saying “I don't think there's anybody in this who's not trying to win the show. Otherwise, why would you bother?”


McFadden claims Williams is very competitive, and that she has been checking Twitter updates of competitors to see how much training they’ve been doing – “She's already been scanning Twitter going, 'Erin is doing five hours, Kerri-Anne's doing six'. Then she's ringing her partner screaming, 'We've gotta do more hours'.”


The appearance will give Australian audiences the chance to get to know Williams, who is a relative unknown in the country, only recognised as the fiancee of McFadden.


Brian McFadden has seen his star rise down under since his high profile relationship with Australian singer Delta Goodrem and has since taken a seat on the panel of ‘Australia’s Got Talent’.


“It's a great opportunity for people of Australia to get to know her, instead of just in magazines. She's got a great personality and this is going to be a great challenge.” McFadden said.


Williams isn’t worried about the public perception, saying “I'm just going to be myself and hope that people like me. I don't really feel the pressure.”


Australia’s version of dancing with the stars begins on April 15th.

- Brian O'Reilly


......


She is waltzing her way into Australian audiences' hearts on their version of Dancing With The Stars.
So Brian McFadden will want his fiancée to get in as much practice as possible.
The singer was spotted waltzing the Irish beauty around on the street as she headed into rehearsals in Sydney today.
Getting in some practice? Brian McFadden waltzes his fiancée Vogue Williams on the street in Sydney

The couple leaned in for a kiss before going their separate ways.
Earlier, they were spotted dining al fresco for lunch with friends at Sienna Marina Cafe by the water's edge in Woolloomooloo.
Vogue changed from her black top and little white shorts into comfortable tracksuit bottoms for her training session.
kiss me quick! The couple had a public PDA before Vogue headed into DWTS rehearsals
Brian proudly told the Irish Independent of his fiancée's participation in the show: 'It's a great opportunity for people of Australia to get to know her, instead of just in magazines.

'She's got a great personality and this is going to be a great challenge.'
But his support only extends so far. Miss Williams says it is unlikely that the couple will be putting down the moves for their bridal dance at their upcoming wedding.
The couple were earlier spotted lunching with friends
Posh nosh: They enjoyed an al fresco lunch at Sienna Marina cafe in Woolloomooloo
'I don't know if I will get Brian to do that (fancy dancing),' she told the Herald Sun.

'He is dedicated to the wedding but to try and get him to do a foxtrot, I highly doubt it.

'And after a few drinks at the wedding it is not going to look nice. Maybe we will just do a standing spin around like everyone else.'
Sunny Sydney: The couple were dressed for summer






DUBLIN model Vogue Williams has a date and a venue for her wedding to Brian McFadden all booked, but is missing a dress.
Vogue and Brian, the 32-year-old former member of Irish band Westlife and now a judge of Australia's Got Talent, will walk down the aisle in the European summer, with Florence in August said to be the destination and time they are telling friends.

"I am not really a stressy bridezilla person,'' the Dancing With The Stars contestant said of her gown.





THIS is one way to get a few extra votes on Dancing With The Stars.
Irish model-slash-DJ Vogue Williams has posed in her smalls for the cover of men's magazine Maxim before her Australian television debut tonight.

Williams, best known for her relationship with Delta Goodrem's ex, Brian McFadden, said she was nervous about performing her first dance on the Channel Seven series that airs from 6.30pm.

"I know the moves really well but I'm scared (I) won't do any of (them) properly," Williams said.

The 25-year-old Dubliner said she and fiance McFadden were planning to hold their wedding in Europe but hope to settle in Sydney permanently.

Westknifed
Brian and Vogue ditch lads from wedding list

Snub ... Westlife members Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne
By BARRY MORAN Published: Today at 00:01 BRIAN McFadden and his bride-to-be Vogue Williams have sensationally DITCHED their Westlife and Fade Street pals from their guest list.
Pop struggler McFadden has sent out the invites to the upcoming nuptials — with his chart-topping ex-pals set to miss out.

‘Brogue’ announced they’ve only invited a small number of close friends and family to the ceremony, to be held in Florence in August.

One new pal has made the list — former Spice Girl Mel B — who the couple got to know during the Aussie series of Dancing with the Stars.

Vogue hasn’t forgotten her Irish roots entirely — she will be flanked by SIX bridesmaids at the bash. But it’s believed none of her Fade Street co-stars have made the cut.

She laughed: “I have so many good friends in Ireland, I couldn’t choose, so I have six bridesmaids.”

McFadden will also have six groomsmen, including Australia’s Got Talent co-judge Kyle Sandilands. And chart-topper Mel is set to Spice up the bash with Vogue confirming her new pal would be asked to attend.



Nuptials ... Brian and Vogue
Vogue said: “Mel B is invited, 100 per cent. We get on really well.”

Mel found herself caught in a series of unflattering pictures at Brogue’s engagement party in Sydney. The boozy babe had to be supported by her husband as she tripped out of a bar.

She revealed the following day: “Had lots of wine fell down and got paparazzied . . head still hurts.”

McFadden popped the question to his girlfriend of just eight months in January. And the former Westlife star, 32, said the intensity of his relationship with Vogue, 25, explains the swift engagement.

He explained at the time: “We’ve literally spent every second of every day together for eight months now.”

Friday Aug 10 2012



Vogue booked for Euro Millions photoshoot, and Brian came too...








But not the summer sunshine, his upcoming nuptials next month, or even a ?
190m Euromillions draw tonight could brighten Brian McFadden's mood yesterday

The former
Westlife singer was back on home soil with his model fiancee, Vogue Williams, to spend time with family ahead of their big day next month.

The 32-year-old pop star will marry Ms Williams (27) in Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence and the couple are believed to be spending more than ?200,000 on the wedding.

The couple will tie the knot in a luxurious Italian castle on September 2.




Westlife’s Brian McFadden marries Vogue Williams in Dublin




Former member of Irish boyband Westlife, Brian McFadden is all grown up now after signing the legal wedding papers at a registry office in Dublin over the weekend. McFadden is now married to supermodel Vogue Williams, and will celebrate the nuptials in Italy.


Brian McFadden and Vogue
RTE reports that McFadden and Williams made it legal on Thursday at Dublin registry office in front of a small group of family and friends.

Afterwards, McFadden tweeted ,"I am one happy camper,” which was followed by, “Look out Italy the Irish and Aussies are coming in hot!!!"



The couple, who mainly lives in Australia now, is having their wedding in Florence, Italy at Castello Di Vincigliata in Florence. McFadden’s two daughters, Molly and Lilly Sue, will serve as flower girls.

The newlyweds are said to have penned a deal with a glossy mag in Ireland that will get exclusive rights to their wedding photos and story. Thus, guests have been asked to not bring mobile phones or take pictures at the ceremony in order to honor the deal made.


A source said: "It's a very private compound which is perfect as all of the details of the magazine deal have been finalised.

"Brian and Vogue's guests will be brought to the castle by bus mid-afternoon on Sunday and it is a private estate.

"The magazine is well used to keeping events private and there won't really be a chance of catching a glimpse of the newlyweds in their castle in the Tuscan hills




Former Westlife member Brian McFadden has wed model/DJ/reality TV star Vogue Williams. The couple exchanged vows in front of 80 friends and family members at Florence, Italy's medieval castle, Castello di Vincigliata on Sept. 2.

After getting engaged this past January (2012), Brian, 32, and Vogue, 26, tied the knot. The Dublin natives became an item back in May 2011, just one month after an announcement that McFadden had called off his engagement with Australian singer/actress, Delta Goodrem.

According to U.K.'s The Sun, Brian's "Australia's Got Talent" co-judge, Dannii Minogue, was in attendance, while his former Westlife bandmates were not present for the ceremony.

McFadden's two daughters, Molly, 11, and Lilly-Sue, 9, served as the flower girls for the nuptials. The girls are from Brian's previous marriage to Atomic Kitten singer, Kerry Katona, to whom he was married from 2002-2006.

Brian and Vogue's Florentine celebration followed the couple's official wedding, a quiet, civil ceremony in Dublin on the previous Thursday (Aug. 30).





Former Westlife star Brian McFadden considers his new marriage to be effectively his first - and said he had no idea what he was doing when he tied the knot with his ex, Kerry Katona.

The Australia's Got Talent judge married Irish model and DJ Vogue Williams earlier this month in Tuscany, Italy. In an interview with Hello! magazine, Brian said he has a "completely different life" to when he and Katona staged their wedding a decade ago. He said he considers this to be his "first time getting married".

Brian, 32, said: "This is me getting married for the rest of my life - and a completely different life. I was 18 or 19 when I got married the first time. I was in Westlife. I had no idea what I was doing. It wasn't till I was 30 that I turned into an adult."

He and Vogue married less than 18 months after they met in a Dublin nightclub. They chose a medieval Tuscan castle in Italy because they wanted to keep their wedding relatively small and saw it as a "halfway" location for friends and family flying in from both Ireland and Australia, where the couple now live.

Brian said: "You can't get married in Ireland and only have 80 people."

Among the guests was Brian's TV colleague Dannii Minogue who said: "They make a beautiful couple and I wasn't surprised at all when they got engaged."

Brian, who was engaged to Australian singer Delta Goodrem for four years, said Vogue, 26, had the effect of "taming" him. He said he had never done any domestic chores before.

"Vogue has made me so happy. She puts a smile on my face every day. She has made me a better person," he said.

The couple said they could not bear to be parted the night before their wedding. Vogue said: "I was asking everyone: Is it that bad if I spend the night with him? So I did and he got up in the morning and left before the bridesmaids came. It was perfect."

McFadden's two daughters, Molly, 11, and Lilly, nine, were junior bridesmaids.

02 Dec 2008
Follow your dreams, Westlife star tells students



Westlife's Shane Filan urged young people from the North West to follow their dreams at a Gaisce awards ceremony.

The Sligo pop star was guest of honour when over 120 teenagers from Donegal, Derry and Sligo received the President's award in recognition of their spirit of adventure, personal skills and service to the community.

Among those honoured were students from Sligo Grammer School who went on a kayaking trip to Belgium earlier this year.

"They spent their days on the river and their evenings orienteering in the forest or undergoing very physical obstacle courses," explained teacher and President's Award Leader, Fidelma Lipsett.

She took 17 fifth year students from the school on the outing which also involved a day trip to Luxembourg, last Easter.

Students from Grange post primary school in north Sligo also rose to the challenge when they took up kayaking in a more local setting at the Lough Allen Adventure Centre.

"They learned how to set up camp, they had to cook their own food and learn how to survive with fairly basic facilities," explained teacher Siobhan Evans, who supervised the project with colleague, Lorna Craven.

The Grange students undertook several community projects, setting up homework clubs, a soccer league and producing a newsletter.

They also did a mix of sports activities with one student having qualified as a beach life guard as his endeavors.

"They inspirational are

group an of young people and we could see they were developing leadership skills in this process. In fact many of them are now prefects," said Ms Lipsett.

Gaisce medals were also presented to students from the Ursuline and Mercy Colleges Sligo and to young people from several schools in Co Donegal.

The President's award or Gaisce is presented to young people aged from 15 to 25 who prove themselves in the areas of community involvement, personal skills, physical recreation and adventure.


SLAM TROPHY RUGBY CUP IN SLIGO 2009