JUNE
IT’S amazing how a simple vest can cover up the dreaded belly bulge – as WESTLIFE’s SHANE FILAN and NICKY BYRNE amply demonstrate on holiday in the States. Over the years the boy band have made heaps of dough – and most of it seems to have ended up around the lads’ Tums. But you’d hardly know by looking at my picture of Nicky and Shane as they enjoy a stroll along Miami’s South Beach with wives Georgina and Gillian.
Unfortunately the boys then spoil the effect by whipping off their vests, releasing more solo material than perhaps they intended. But then Nicky spotted my snapper – and sucked in his belly for all he was worth. You don’t fool us, boys. Whether or not Westlife’s career has gone pear- shaped, your bods certainly have.
source - The Sun
posted-30th June
Westlife boy Nicky Byrne clearly thinks he's had one too many beach barbecues.
The 25-year-old was enjoying a romantic stroll on South Beach in Miami with gorgeous wife Georgina. But when he spotted he was being snapped he quickly tucked in his tummy. An onlooker said: "He was obviously worried about flaunting too much flab."
The star was on holiday `with band mate Shane Filan, 24, and his wife Gillian. Our onlooker added: "They appeared to be having a great time, and
were obviously really relaxed there."
Ah, you're on holiday, Nicky - let it all hang out!
source - Mirror
posted - 30th June
BEST-LIFE
WESTLIFE wife Gillian Filan looks like she's posing for a cheeky seaside postcard on holiday. The 25-year-old can't work out how to hide her modesty and stop tan lines forming on her shoulders at the same time.
Gillian is on holiday in Miami with hubby Shane, band mate Nicky and his wife Georgina during a break in their hectic world tour schedule. The couples, who are best of pals despite spending so much time together, flew to Florida to soak up some sun before the boys resume touring again. They spent the day relaxing on the famous South Beach, topping up their tans and cooling off in the sea before heading off to do some shopping. Westlife are set to play another sell-out Scottish gig at Edinburgh Castle on July 24.
source - Daily Record
Posted -30th June
Westlife do it their way
The People (London, England); 6/27/2004 Byline: TINA CALDER
I'M starting to feel sorry for the lads of Westlife these days. There's a campaign in London to get them off the market and out of the industry. All together now - aaahhh.
One record company source told me this week that the big cheeses believed if Westlife weren't taken off the market soon, they could damage boybands for ever.
He said: "They are starting to become a cult figure and we have to stop that as soon as possible before nothing can compare to them."
According to insiders in the Westlife camp, the foursome are considering a permanent split if the next single doesn't do well, and - even worse - Simon Cowell is supposedly trawling for a Frank Sinatra song for them to cover next.
I swear, if you murder a Sinatra song boys I'll hunt you down myself. that's like me trying to rewrite Shakespeare.
Source - Showbitch Ireland
Posted - 29th June
WESTLIFE are to headline Ireland's biggest ever free concert, the Mirror can reveal.
The stars have been in secret negotiations to perform at the 02 In The Park spectacular in September. Girls Aloud, InShaneica Simpson and Blue are also expected to thrill a 100,000-strong crowd at the Phoenix Park gig.
Last night a source close to Westlife revealed: "The lads would love to perform and obviously they would be the headline act.
"It's going to be the biggest and best 02 In The Park ever.
"Nicky, Mark, Shane and Kian have just completed their most successful tour ever and they want to celebrate and say thanks to all the fans who came to see them by performing free. They have been on stage in front of huge crowds all over the world but this will be their finest hour right in their own back yard.
"It's the equivalent of 10 nights at the Point all in one go so they are very excited about it. With the tickets being free the demand is going to be phenomenal." The lads now just need to get the final details confirmed before the official line-up for the Dublin spectacular is unveiled next month.
source - The Mirror
Posted - 28th June
Pop sensations Westlife have allayed fears that they are planning to spilt up- by revealing their plans for a brand new tour. The chart-toppers, who have just completed their most successful tour yet, are already making plans to set off on the road again in 2005. Mark, Shane, Kian and Nicky will embark on their fifth major tour with a string of Irish dates in February.
"There'll be an announcement made about the new tour shortly," confirmed Westlife manager, Louis Walsh.
"They love touring and the Turnaround Tour was such a big success that they're dying to get out there again. We're talking about February."
The band will begin recording a new album after returning from their summer holidays at the end of July.
"It's going to be a themed album-but we're not going to reveal what it's about just yet," said Walsh. "It'll be released in October or November."
The band kicked off their first ever concert as a foursome in Belfast on March 29-just weeks after Bryan McFadden left the band. They performed ten nights at The Point in Dublin as part of the 62-date world tour And Kian Egan said splitting up is the last thing on the minds of Westlife.
"We've another album on the way," he said. "We've plenty of plans yet."
source - Irish Star
posted- 24th June
Westlife.com reports
Having finished their Turnaround Tour, Westlife are currently taking a well earned holiday, but once they're back we'll have more news from them...
Source: www.westlife.com
Posted: 24 June 2004
Showbiz insiders say Westlife will consider their future as a band if their next single fails to set the UK's charts alight. The stars plan to release their latest track in July and insiders say they may break up if it fails to be a big hit.
Rumours of a split have dogged the band since Bryan McFadden quit in March 2004 - leaving Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne to carry on as a quartet.
source - Ireland Online
posted - 22nd June
Westlife star Mark Feehily reckons being rich and famous is overrated. He said: "After a while money becomes boring. It's your friends and your family who make life worth living."
Source - The Mirror
Posted - 21st June
KIAN EGONE; Is Westlife star losing his hair?
Sunday Mirror (London, England); 6/13/2004 Byline: MAEVE QUIGLEY
IT looks like Bryan McFadden may not be the only thing to leave Westlife this year. Eagle-eyed fans of the remaining fab four have noticed how Kian Egan is gradually losing his blond locks. Our series of pictures of Kian's crown since he hit the big time show as their success grew his hairline receded.
One devoted fan said: "It's getting noticeable that Kian is starting to lose his hair. Over the past few months you can seen that his hair is thinning at the back and his hairline at the front is moving further and further back.
"Although he does his best to cover things up with trendy hairstyles, the writing seems to be on the wall."
Celebrity hairdresser Paul Stafford said it was inevitable that at least one member of Westlife would fall victim to the male pattern baldness gene. Belfast-based Paul, who boasts Ash and Sharon Corr amongst his clientele, explained: "When you consider the large number of men who start losing their hair at a very early age, and given that there were five boys in this band, the odds always were that male pattern baldness was bound to affect one of them.
"If I was Kian I would go for a Sting-style crop or get my hair cut short like Ronan Keating did and make the most of things.
"Cover-ups are noticeable and sad - if he resorts to that he will lose fans and credibility."
Paul did have some good news for Kian - who is still only 24 - there are ways to halt the slide and diet was one of the most important.
"There are supplements on the market now and different products like Mioxon and Regain and although they don't cure baldness they preserve what you have got left.
"Changing his diet would help - reducing red meat intake and eating more seeds, nuts, soybeans and fresh vegetables would be important." Unfortunately stress is another factor which needs to be reduced - not easy if you're a lusted-after hunk in the world's number one boy band.
source - Sunday Mirror
Posted 19th June
Her other half Bryan is no stranger to going on benders, but Kerry McFadden's recent boozing session could put any hardened drinker to shame. The I'm A Celebrity... winner went on the lash in Blackpool after a promo gig and carried on knocking back the bevvies until 8am.
"Kerry was well-oiled when she got back to the De Vere hotel at 3.30am," our source tells us. And even a bar brawl didn't put the busty mum-of-two, 23, off her booze. "She was necking peach schnapps and asking the bar staff if they thought she was a good mum," says our spy.
"She was hammered but she was a very sweet drunk."
Source - www.mirror.co.uk/3am
Posted - 19th June
Bryan Tops Westlife & Ronan
Bryan McFadden may be only out on his own a matter of months but by the looks of his ShowBiz Ireland forum he is now more popular than his former band mates and even Ronan Keating... Regular users of the ShowBiz Ireland forums will know that since their inception over a year ago both the Westlife and Ronan Keating arenas have been by far the most popular - but not any more...
Since Bryan left Westlife recently there has been a rift in the loyalties between those who feel McFadden betrayed the band and those who support his reasons for leaving. So less than a month ago ShowBiz Ireland created a stand-alone Bryan McFadden forum in order give his fans a place to discuss his career after Westlife and to stop bickering.
And amazingly in that short time Bryan has had over 1700 posts topping his former band mates and Ronan Keating who have had their forums for over a year! ShowBiz Ireland would like to thank Bryan's fans for their dedications on the forum and we would also like to welcome all of our new members. Go Bryan!
Source - www.showbizireland.com
Posted - 17 June 2004
Spidey's a top dad
Spiderman has been voted the dream dad in a web poll. Kids picked the superhero and fellow cartoon character Homer Simpson ahead of David Beckham.
A Father’s Day online survey by Lovehearts sweets put Becks at No3. Harry Potter’s Mr Weasley and Lord Of The Rings’ Aragorn completed the top five.
Andrew Matlow of www.lovehearts.com, said: “We were sure Becks would win.”
The Top Ten:
1. Spiderman,
2. Homer Simpson,
3. David Beckham,
4. Mr. Weasley (Harry Potter),
5. Aragorn (Lord Of The Rings),
6. James Bond,
7. Peter Kay,
8. Les Battersby,
9. Bryan McFadden,
10. Jim Carrey.
Source - www.thesun.co.uk
Posted- 17 June 2004
The Mirror (London, England); 6/16/2004 Byline: Paul Martin
WESTLIFE star Mark Feehily reckons being rich and famous is overrated. He said: "After a while money becomes boring. It's your friends and your family who make life worth living."
So any chance you could lend me a few quid then Mark?
source - The Mirror
Posted - 17th June
'Westlife are recoding a duet with the queen of disco, Donna Summer. Then their next album has been agreed upon with Simon Cowell. It will be a themed album of love songs. Simon is helping us re-launch the band as a four piece and Westlife have agreed to do a show for ITV in December as a Christmas special'
source - Ireland on Sunday
Posted - 14th June 2004
The Mirror (London, England); 6/11/2004 Byline: EXCLUSIVE by PAUL MARTIN
WESTLIFE are to headline Ireland's biggest ever free concert, the Mirror can reveal. The stars have been in secret negotiations to perform at the 02 In The Park spectacular in September. Girls Aloud, Jessica Simpson and Blue are also expected to thrill a 100,000-strong crowd at the Phoenix Park gig.
Last night a source close to Westlife revealed: "The lads would love to perform and obviously they would be the headline act.
"It's going to be the biggest and best 02 In The Park ever.
"Nicky, Mark, Shane and Kian have just completed their most successful tour ever and they want to celebrate and say thanks to all the fans who came to see them by performing free. They have be on stage in front of huge crowds all over the world but this will be their finest hour right in their own back yard.
"It's the equivalent of 10 nights at the Point all in one go so they are very excited about it. With the tickets being free the demand is going to be phenomenal."
The lads now just need to get the final details confirmed before the official line-up for the Dublin spectacular is unveiled next month.
source - The Mirror (London, England); 6/11/2004
Posted - 12th June
Pop along for concert tickets - they're free
BY ANDREW HUTCHINSON
IT'S the pop extravaganza which gives music fans in Leeds their only opportunity to pay homage to their favourite chart stars for free.
And this weekend pop pickers will have their first chance to snap up tickets for the largest free outdoor concert in the UK. This year's Party in the Park 2004 is being staged on Sunday, July 25, at Temple Newsam Park in Leeds. Thousands of tickets for the event are being given away on Saturday June 12 at the Burley Road base of 96.3 Radio Aire between 10am and 2pm.
The line-up for this year's event is still firmly under wraps. But earlier rumours indicate that it will feature a top solo artist and a chart-topping teen band, both with a clutch of Number One hits under their belts. Unique Big names to grace the Temple Newsam stage in previous years include Westlife and Atomic Kitten.
Catherine Blanshard, Leeds City Council's chief arts and heritage officer, said: "These really are the hottest tickets in the city, and we are likely to see most of them go on the very first day.
"The line-up of acts this year promises to be one of the best ever, so to ensure you don't miss out, get down to 96.3 Radio Aire on Saturday." Simon Logan, 96.3 Radio Aire's breakfast show presenter said: "Last year was a great sunny day in Leeds but we are hoping to bring an even hotter line-up this year.
"The concert is fantastic for Leeds because you don't see free concerts of this size anywhere else in the country."
The event, now in its 11th year, is being staged by Leeds City Council in partnership with 96.3 Radio Aire and the Yorkshire Evening Post. Any remaining tickets from Saturday's launch will then be available from the box office at the Central Library, Yorkshire Evening Post reception and at 96.3 Radio Aire from Monday, June 14.
Tickets are restricted to four per person. Postal applicants will only be accepted from disabled applicants who should write to Voluntary Action Leeds, Stringer House, 34 Lupton Street, Leeds, LS10 2QW. A stamped addressed envelope and proof of disability, such as a registered disability number must be included.
Latest ticket information is available from www.leeds.gov.uk /party or 0113 3950891.andrew.hutchinson@ypn.co.uk
source -
Posted - 12th June
Discount in Hard Rock Cafe, Cardiff
The Hard Rock Cafe in Cardiff are offering all Westlife fans a 10percent discount in the Restaurant this Friday (June 11th), when the band are playing at Cardiff Arena. To qualify for the discount all you need to do is show your ticket/ticket stub.
They will also be playing Westlife tracks during the evening.
They're on 5t Mary Street in Cardiff, opposite Wood Street, about a 2 min walk from St Davids Hall 2 mins from the Central Train Station.
Booking can be made on 029 203 73 403 or via email at cardiff_sales@hardrock.com
Source- www.westlife.com
Posted -9th June 2004
A fan-tastic night out for Westlife's Downtown girl
Westlife fanatic Christina Davey was the envy of millions of teenage girls after winning the chance to work as a member of the band's backstage crew in Belfast. The 15-year-old schoolgirl couldn't believe her luck when she found herself making tea and sorting out the costumes for the four lads at the Odyssey Arena last night. The north Belfast teenager scooped the dream job for one night after winning a Downtown Radio competition.
Fans of the boy band were invited to vie for the prize of working as a Westlife crew member on their final night at the Odyssey. In a nail-biting Westlife trivia climax, Christina battled it out against one other girl to win the golden opportunity. As part of her prize, she worked behind the scenes, helping to make sandwiches for the boys, ensuring their costumes were ready to wear and unloading their lorries. She also got to meet Nicky, Shane, Mark and Kian backstage as well as winning four tickets for her friends to watch the band perform from a VIP box in the Arena.
Nicky Bryne said: "Christina seemed to really enjoy herself and never complained about anything she was asked to do.
"Maybe we'll offer her a job as one of our crew."
Source - www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk
posted - 9th June 2004
Westlife competition
westlife.com has a fantastic new Westlife competition! If you fancy winning a huge Westlife Turnaround poster board signed by all the lads plus a Westlife presentation disk then simply answer this question: - What is the name of Westlife's latest album?
If you think you know the answer, you should text 'Westlife' followed by your answer to 69079 eg 'Westlife Turnaround' to 69079 The poster board is approx 2x3 metres, so please make sure that you will be able to accommodate it! However the special presentation disk is much smaller! Good luck!
Each entry will cost One Pound and Fifty Pence, and you can find full Terms and Conditions at www.westlife.com/terms The winner will be contacted by phone, and the lucky winner's name will be posted on westlife.com The competition closes at midnight on the 30th June 2004.
Source- www.westlife.com
Posted- 7th June 2004
Westlife gig ruined for young fan (11)
A Little girl's dream Westlife concert was ruined when a cruel fan snatched a coveted drumstick which the band had given to her. Shauna O'Regan (11) had front row seats for the show in Dublin's Point Theatre on Wednesday night when her favourite Westlifer Nicky Byrne threw her one of the drumsticks. But a woman behind Shauna jumped forward and seized it.
"Shauna was so upset by what that woman did," said her furious mum Jennifer.
" During the last few songs, Nicky came to the front of the stage and said 'Who will I give this to?" Nicky tossed the stick down to Shauna, but the prize was snatched by a woman in her early 20s who didn't care about upsetting the young girl from Clonshaugh, Dublin.
"Security guards saw how heartbroken she was and they tried to reason with the woman," added Jennifer. "But the woman actually turned around and said
'I dont care about that little bitch."
Speaking yesterday on Gerry Ryan's radio show, Shauna's dad Colm praised security men who jumped up onto the stage after the concert and got another drumstick for Shauna.But the night had already been wrecked. To add insult to injury, Shauna's family saw the woman on the way home and the woman beeped and waved the stick at Shauna. Little Shauna sobbed: "I danced for Nicky all night so that he would notice me- and he did.
"But then it was ruined."
posted -1st June
Life's one big drag for super-slim Bryan McFadden.
The former Westlife warbler enjoyed a quick f*g while his wife Kerry mingled among friends at funky venue Whelans in Dublin. Bryan was celebrating launching his own band, South African rockers Franklin. The 24-year-old said:
"Their first single "You" is out next week and i will do whatever i takes to make sure they are huge." And telling us about his lean look, he added: "It's just working hard and being sensible about food. I've been non stop for the last few weeks. My family and friends are all here tonight so that's nice."
posted - 1st June
WESTLIFE'S Nicky Byrne reckons a big ballad is what Ireland needs if it's to achieve Eurovision glory again.
He was speaking after Ireland's entry, penned by former band-mate, Bryan McFadden, flopped in the recent competition with a dismal seven points. Nicky said: "What we need is to get back to the big ballads of Johnny Logan and Linda Martin.
"People say the competition is all about dancing now, but I still think it's about the song.If it's good enough it will win."But Nicky ruled Westlife out of the equation.We may be famous for our big ballads but I don't really think Eurovision's our thing," he laughed.
source - Belfast Telegraph
posted - 1st june
Westlife in Gothenburg
Westlife visited an Irish pub in Gothenburg last night called "Dubliners. They had a few pints and watched the football game between Ireland and Romania," said Mia Isaksson who works at the pub. They cheered when Ireland won. They behaved and where really nice." Tonight they perform at "Skandinavium" and tomorrow they play at "Globen" in Stockholm.
Source - www.aftonbladet.se
Posted - 1st June