So Shane, has fame changed you at all?
Yeah, definitely. I think we’ve all changed, but luckily no one has changed for the worse. I think being in a band would change anyone because you mature faster.

Are you comfortable with your "sex symbol" label?
Sex symbol?! I don’t really think about it that much, to be honest. I mean we see ourselves on the front covers of magazines and on TV, but I don’t think of myself as a sex symbol. It’s not a bad thing – it’d be worse if nobody cared about us!

We heard a rumour that Westlife are gonna record with Michael Jackson – true?
No, it’s just a rumour I’m afraid, although I’d love to work with him. Supposedly, he heard our album when he was in Asia and liked it, but that’s as far as it goes!

How much of the real Shane do we see in interviews?
Obviously, you can’t tell things like what kind of boyfriend I’d be, but generally, what you see of me in interviews is what you get.

Do you feel that you have to behave yourself because you’re in Westlife?
Yes, I suppose so. We’re doing a job that’s in the public eye so you’ve got to respect that and lead by example. We can’t go to the pub every night and get photographed falling over! But we’re still normal people and we go out when we can.

Do people treat you differently because you’re famous?
My true mates don’t, but some people are a lot nicer to you because you’re in a band – especially girls! You soon learn to see through that tho’. Being in a band means getting attention, whether you love it or hate it. I think I’ve been handling it quite well!

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Maybe still in Westlife, maybe not. Hopefully married with kids – I’d like to be married by the time I’m 31. I might still be in the industry or I might just be chilling out – it’s a long way off!