courtesy of The Sun

Westlife star Bryan McFadden today confirmed he is to leave the chart-topping boy band. The singer announced his departure at a press conference in Dublin this lunchtime.

The remaining band members - Nicky Byrne, 23, Shane Filan, 24, Kian Egan, 23, and Mark Feehily, 23 - will continue as a four-piece. McFadden, 23, told reporters he was quitting to spend more time with wife Kerry - winner of ITV reality show I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here - and daughters Molly and Lily Sue.

“It’s a huge commitment and to be honest for the last year, especially since Lily was born, I haven’t been able to commit 100 per cent to Westlife and I haven’t been able to commit 100 per cent to my family,” he said. “It wasn’t fair on either and I just felt it was the right time for me to
leave and concentrate on my family."

In a statement, he said the split had nothing to do with the remaining Westlife members who he described as "my four best friends in the world."

He said: "The guys want me to be happy. My family are very important to me and they understand that. There’s no point being in the band and not having 100 per cent commitment so they respect my decision."

After embracing his former bandmates, McFadden, who was accompanied by his wife, left the packed press conference. An emotional Kian Egan then read out a letter from Westlife to McFadden in which they paid tribute to the singer.

"We have enjoyed some unbelievable times throughout the years and will always hold them and you very close to our hearts," he said. “We have shared laughter, tears, success, weddings and babies, but most of all we’ve shared our dreams."

Bandmate Nicky Byrne urged fans to continue to support the group. "At this moment we just hope the fans stay with us, we need them now more than ever,” he said.

Showbiz insiders predict McFadden's departure could mark the end for Westlife who were formed in 1999 by Boyzone manager Louis Walsh. The quintet have since notched up 12 No1 hits to become the UK's biggest selling boy band. Their latest single Obvious is currently at No10.

The group - who have also released five bestselling albums - are due to kick off a world tour next month. Although McFadden will not take part in the tour, the remaining band members said they hoped to see the singer at one of their homecoming dates in Ireland.

Industry insiders have already predicted a glittering career for McFadden and former Atomic Kitten star Kerry following today's announcement. PR guru Max Clifford, who advises the couple, said that the husband and wife duo could team up for television work if the right offer came along.

"I will be sitting down with Bryan and Kerry over the next few weeks, talking through all the various offers of music, TV, etc," he said. "They are looking at projects together but it has to fit in with their family commitment. Both of them feel the same way."

But a moneyspinning songwriting career could also be on the cards for McFadden, who has penned hits for top groups such as Girls Aloud. He also helped co-write Ireland's entry for this year's Eurovision Song Contest, which has been tipped as a potential winner.