Welcome to the Westlife news area
22nd February 2003
Westlife press statement -
The band are NOT splitting up
Westlife fans will be pleased to hear that the band are categorically not splitting up.
Westlife are currently working hard promoting their new single Tonight which is released on St Patrick's day (17th March, 2003) and are preparing for their Unbreakable world-tour which kicks off in Cardiff on 13th April.
Shane said: "Westlife are definitely not splitting up, we're looking forward to starting rehearsals for the tour and we will be recording a brand new album this summer, so everything is fantastic".
22nd February 2003
Shane wants out of top boy
band
They've lasted longer than anyone thought possible but we can reveal that Westlife are on the verge of splitting.
The crisis - which was serious enough to keep the band away from last night's Brits - came following the sacking of tour manager Anto Byrne.
Shane Filan told band members Kian Egan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily that if Anto weren't reinstated he'd quit.
But insiders say 22-year-old Kian - who masterminded the sacking - is refusing to budge, despite pleas from Shane and Bryan.
"Shane's not a happy man," our source insists. "He's told the rest of the lads that he's totally fed up.
"There were already simmering tensions in the band but when Anto was forced out, it was the last straw for Shane. He made his feelings clear at a showdown.
"And although they won't admit it in public, Shane has said that they've crossed the line and it's time to call it a day.
"There is a lot of animosity within the group now and morale is at an all-time low.
"When Shane walks out, they've lost their lead singer. It's like Boyzone without Ronan Keating - it just won't work."
"Everyone behind the scenes is working flat out to heal the rift."
Shane, who was allegedly offered a £6million solo deal last year, is considering going it alone. Meanwhile Bryan, 22, who has two daughters with wife, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, is also making plans for a back-up career.
The group have enjoyed incredible success since they burst on to the pop scene four years ago.
They have had an amazing 11 No1 singles and have sold 25 million records worldwide.
In December they surprised fans by releasing a greatest hits album but insisted they had no plans to go their separate ways.
"Best of" collections have been the death knell of many a pop act - remember Take That and Steps?
The lads are trying to paper over the cracks for their 32-date tour which starts in April and finishes in July.
A friend of Shane reveals: "He was incredibly angry about the whole thing and like many other people believes this is the beginning of the end.
"He loves all his band mates with all his heart but when fighting starts like this it's time to call it a day.
"He's had a few days to calm down now but he's still furious about the whole thing. It's not looking good."
There have even been suggestions that Westlife announce their break up officially after they play Dublin's Lansdowne Road stadium at the end of June.
"It would be the perfect time for them to bow out," says a pal. "But they're still hoping it's not too late to kiss and make up.
"But performing their biggest-ever shows at Lansdowne could be the big final curtain."
Last night a spokesman said: "Yes, Anto was sacked but Westlife are not splitting up."
21st February 2003
Band divided
Westlife are said to be "in crisis" after sacking their tour manager Anto Byrne.
He was shown the door after a two-month power struggle with bandmember and unofficial spokesman Kian Egan.
According to the Daily Mirror, the group were torn between the two men.
A source is quoted as saying: "This could be the beginning of the end for Westlife.
"Some of the lads are furious - others within the group were plotting the move."
He added: "Everyone knows Anto was the man who guided Westlife to the top and was with them every step of the way."
The band's record label, BMG, are said to be incensed.
They are afraid the band will fall apart like the Spice Girls after they sacked their manager, Simon Fuller.
Westlife praised Anto in the credits of their Greatest Hits album just four months ago.
They wrote: "To Anto Byrne, our tour manager, thank you for putting up with us 24 hours a day, seven days a week."
20th February 2003
WESTLIFE PLAY G.A.Y.
Westlife have confirmed plans to perform at London's G.A.Y. nightclub next month, four weeks before they embark upon their European Greatest Hits tour.
The chart-topping boyband will perform at the Astoria on March 15 in order to promote their new single, 'Tonight', which is released the following Monday.
As previously reported, the new single will feature Westlife's cover of 'Miss You Nights', alongside a new track entitled, 'Where We Belong'.
19th
February 2003
Liz Says She & Kian Were Never Madly In Love
Radio 1 chatted with Liz McClarnon of Atomic Kitten at the launch of the group's new clothing range where she responded to reports she has broken up with Kian Egan of Westlife. "I am very upset, but it's not how you read it at all," Liz said. "We were never madly in love, and we were never going out for as long as everybody said, and it just sort of ended before it began. There was no 'I'm dumping you' on anyone's side."
19th
February 2003
Atomic Kitten Dumps Westlife's Kian
The London Star reports Westlife star Kian Egan is said to be heartbroken after being dumped by Liz McClarnon of Atomic Kitten. The two had dated for only two months.
16th February 2003
Westlife's
location on Valentines day!
Happy
Valentines Day to one and all - it will have been a particularly special day for
the following Westlife fans, who have each had a rather exiting visitor...
Nicky delivered a surprise bunch of flowers to a Hayley Green's work address in
Birmingham - she works for a company called Tradeteam in Coleshill, and was
nominated by her boyfriend Daran Pazzaglia.
Mark has been to Glasgow to see a bride to be - in fact today is her wedding day
and Mark will deliver flowers as a surprise just as she gets ready to leave home
for the church! Her bridesmaid nominated her for the prize.
Shane is delivering flowers to the receptionist of a paint shop in Reading. Her
husband won the prize for her.
Kian is delivering in Manchester - we don't actually have the winner's details
there just yet...
Bryan is obviously at home with wife Kerry and new baby Lillie Sue
16th
February 2003
Westlife Valentine!
MOST young women can only dream of a Valentine's Day visit from a boy band pop star -- but for one lucky lady the dream became a reality.
Vicky Elton had the time of her life when Westlife's Kian Egan dropped in on her at work, armed with flowers, chocolates and kisses.
The visit was the star prize in a radio station competition, which Vicky only found out she had won two hours before Kian's arrival.
Vicky, of Ellenbrook, Worsley, was chosen from more than 20,000 people who entered the Key 103 breakfast show poetry competition to meet the star.
She said: "You had to e-mail and say why Kian should visit you. I thought my week couldn't get any worse after my boyfriend left for the Gulf and I crashed my car, all in the same week as my 23rd birthday, so I had to enter."
Vicky was told on Thursday night she was in the final 10 and had to stay by her phone during yesterday's breakfast show.
"We were all listening to the radio at work when they rang. I was so excited. I rushed out and bought him a Valentine's card!"
A true Westlife fan, junior occupational therapist Vicky who works at Darley Court care home, Halliwell, has seen the band in concert five times.
She said: "I was so nervous, but when he arrived he was lovely. I would definitely give this day 12 out of 10."
Kian had flown from Dublin specially for the visit and arrived straight from Manchester Airport to applause from the entire staff and screams from excited St Joseph's RC Primary School pupils next door.
He said: "This is the first time I have done anything like this on Valentine's Day, it's a lovely idea."
And Vicky was not the only focus of the 22-year-old's affections during his 20 minute stay. Darley Court resident Joyce Archer, aged 80, was lucky enough to snatch a quick photo with him.
Joyce said: "He was just leaving and I only came down to look, but he came back in to see me. I never thought he'd do that, it was wonderful."
15th
February 2003
The CD single cover for Tonight!
Thanks to Kate for the picture!
Feb 15th 2003
Pop hunk visits bride
BLUSHING bride Charlene Anderson knew she'd found Mr. Right when Westlife's Mark Feehily gave her a dozen roses.
Charlene, 24, from Glasgow, turned down the pop hunk to walk down the aisle an hour later with boyfriend David Shearer, 27, at Strathclyde University's Barony Hall.
"As much as I love Westlife I still want to marry David," she laughed.
Charlene was nominated by maid-of-honour Nicola Anderson for a Radio Clyde-sponsored visit by the Westlife singer.
Gallant Mark, 22, revealed: "All the excitement takes my mind of the fact that I haven't got a girlfriend just now."
14th
February 2003
Meteor Ireland Music Awards
This year's Meteor Ireland Music Awards will take place on Monday 3rd March 2003, and Westlife are nominated in the Best Irish Pop Act category.
14th February 2003
Westlife to make fans'
dreams come true
WE know they're old romantics but Westlife will make four fans' dreams come true tomorrow when they pay them a Valentine's Day visit.
While Bryan McFadden stays home with wife Kerry, the remaining four are taking flowers and chocolate to four lucky girls.
Nicky will surprise one in Manchester while Mark heads to Glasgow. Kian is to make some poor Brummie wet herself while Shane will make a London fan's day. Sweet...
12th February 2003
BMG, tops
them all
Westlife's record label BMG was the most successful in the UK last year, topping album and singles sales charts more than any other company.
12th
February 2003
Fifth Avenue Launch New Single...
Bryan McFadden's favourite Irish pop band Fifth Avenue launched their double-A-side single yesterday in Dublin's Unicorn Restaurant.
Fifth Avenue's latest song A Different Life was accompanied by none other Westlife's Bryan McFadden when they performed it recently at the Childline Concert. The father of two loved the song so much that he insisted on performing it with the young band.
The second song off their new single is called Infidelity which is described by the band as a "more funky, up tempo track." Infidelity uses a sample from the queen of pop Madonna and is produced by Bill Padley who has also created hits for Blue and Atomic Kitten in the past.
Fifth Avenue's new single goes on sale in Ireland on the 21st of February and all over Europe in the coming months.
Tuesday, February 11th, 2003
Shane
spotted at charity fashion show
Westlife’s Shane Filan and his fiancé Gillian Walsh were
spotted at the Fashion Show in Sligo IT last week.
His clothes shop, Morgan, were taking part in the show and Shane was there to
oversee the event along with his sister Mairead.
They were supported by other members of the Filan family.
All the proceeds went to the Sligo Hospice.
Shoppers got the first taste of the spring/summer collection of Morgan which was
modeled by students and lecturers in the college.
Wedding dresses were modeled too, leaving onlookers wondering if any of them
caught Gillian’s eye.
The couple have not yet spoken about their wedding plans but rumours that it
will be in Ashford Castle have not been denied. The wedding is to take place
this December.
07-02-03 news
Kian
Cops himself a Kitten...
Just as the rumour mill was slowing down on Westlife's Kian Egan and Atomic Kitten's Liz McClarnon's apparent relationship the couple have come clean on their romance.
Not one to let fellow band member get one over on him 22 year old Kian has matched Bryan McFadden and grabbed himself a Kitten... And a very beautiful and talented one at that.
Both Kian and Liz have been spilling their hearts out to the Daily Mirror's 3am girls and as we all knew anyway the ShowBiz couple are in fact a couple!
Sexy Liz told the paper: "Kian is really lovely. It's early days and we're both really happy."
And it seems Kian has something in mind for his Atomic Kitten this February 14th: "Now she has come back from Asia, where she was touring with the band. I haven't planned anything yet for Valentines Day yet... I will, though!"
7th February
2003
Kian
and Nicky presenting SMTV/ CDUK this Saturday
Make sure you catch SMTV and CDUK this week (Feb 8th), as not only will the whole band be performing and chatting (on CDUK), but Nicky and Kian will be helping out with the presenting...
Kian is joining Brian Dowling and Tess Daly on SMTV, while Nicky will step into Cat Deeley's shoes for CDUK as she's on holiday (gotta work on that tan!).
In fact, most of SMTV is Westlife themed - the band will go up against Blazin' Squad in Eat My Goal and will spoof their first ever single with a game called 'Bare It Again'. All you have to do is identify the band member from their boxer shorts...!
6
FEBRUARY 2003
LOVE IN THE AIR FOR WESTLIFE HUNK
Spring is still months away, but you wouldn't be able to tell from the way
Britain's biggest heart-throbs are getting an early start on romance.
Irish quintet Westlife has had a busy year so far, with a new baby for Bryan
McFadden and engagements for band mates Shane and Nicky. And now Kian, one of the
two remaining unattached Westlifers, has revealed he has a new girlfriend ?none
other than Atomic Kitten's Liz McClarnon.
The two, longtime friends who both recently split with their partners, connected
at a New Year's party. And the rest, apparently, is history. "Kian is really
lovely," Liz told the Daily Mirror. "It's early days and we're both
really happy."
6th February
Oops! it's Lilly Sue McFadden...
How were we to know that Bryan and Kerry McFadden would change the name of their new baby at the last minute? Well they did and she has now been officially named Lilly Sue.
According to reports the couple had intended to call their newly born tot Rosie May but changed her name to Lilly Sue at the last minute. Apparently the Sue element of her name is after Kerry's mum.
Reports in the press have also revealed that the Show Biz couple have already agreed a 225,000 euro deal with OK! magazine for the first public pictures of Lilly Sue.
Hopefully the new arrival to the McFadden family will wipe away the disappointment of his sister's eviction from RTE's You're a Star competition at the weekend
5th February 2003,
Baby girl for Bryan and Kerry
Proud parents Bryan and Kerry McFadden are pleased to announce the birth of their second child Lilly Sue McFadden, who was born at Mount Carmel Private
Hospital in South Dublin at 10.31pm on Monday 3rd February, 2003.
Baby Lilly weighed in at 7lb 7oz. Mother and child are extremely happy and healthy.
Lilly is Bryan and Kerry's second child following the birth of Molly McFadden 17 months ago.
Bryan says: "I'm absolutely over the moon. I feel delighted, it's another step
closer to becoming the big family! We're all at Kerry's bedside today. I have
also asked Shane to be the godfather to Lilly. I'd like to thank all of Westlife
too for all their love and support"
5th
February 2003,
Westlife nominated at NME Awards for all the
wrong reasons
The awards will presented at the Po Na Na in Hammersmith, London, on February 13. Categories include:
WORST ALBUM
Robbie Williams
Gareth Gates
The Streets
The Vines
Westlife
Coldplay
WORST BAND
S Club Juniors
Westlife
Stereophonics
Nickelback
Atomic Kitten
Blue
Clearly, they are just having a go at pop bands and artists!
4th February 2003
KERRY'S BABY No2
Proud dad Bryan McFadden and wife Kerry Katona were celebrating the birth of their second daughter last night.
The former Atomic Kitten singer, 22, gave birth to the 7lb 7oz girl at 10.31pm at the Mount Carmel hospital in Dublin.
Kerry had been due to check in yesterday afternoon but the nervous Westlife singer dashed her to the hospital in the morning after her waters broke and she went into labour at her mum's house at 2am.
The couple been expecting their second girl later this month. Kerry gave birth to Molly, their first, 16 months ago
4th
February 2003
Westlife stars cry foul
HAS someone just had a go at
NICKY BYRNE?
No, but feathers were more than a bit ruffled when he faced a dodgy challenge during a charity football match against a Sky One Dream Team.
Nicky leapt up and was determined to rip into Dream Team actor TERRY KIELY, who plays striker Karl Fletcher in the show.
Thousands of baying WESTLIFE fans who watched it all happen at Tolka Park in Dublin were hoping Nicky would kick Terry's head in.
Unfortunately, the singer was held back by Westlife bandmate BRYAN McFADDEN, who managed to pour cold water on the situation.
The game ended in a 5-all draw in goals, that is.
30-01-03 news
Westlife
Mark's New Blonde Look...
Westlife's Mark Feehily showed how he giving Eninem a run for his money with his new bleach-blonde locks at last weekend's Childline concert.
The young heartthrob unveiled his new do for the first time infront of an Irish audience at Childline in The Point Theatre.
The concert was a screaming success with an impressive lineup which included Westlife, Fifth Avenue, Samantha Mumba, Big Brovaz, Girls Aloud, Sugar Babes, and many more.
The aftershow party was held in celebrity haunt Lillies Bordello were many of the young stars mixed and let their hair down.
Thanks to various news sources - Westlife-dream, Showbizireland and Popdirt.
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