Westlife song popular for funerals

People certainly pick funny songs for funerals...at least in the UK, although I'm sure it's true the world over. Unusual tunes, including the theme from BBC comedy Only Fools and Horses, made up to 25% of requests received by 242 Co-operative funeral homes over 12 months from February 2008. Research, released by Co-op Funeralcare yesterday, found AC/DC’s heavy metal classic Highway to Hell and jolly Sound of Music song So Long, Farewell among their bizarre choices. Other oddballs included Queen’s Another One Bites the Dust and themes from ITV’s Emmerdale and BBC motor show Top Gear.

Just over one in ten songs were rejected, usually by clergy who felt the choices were inappropriate. Frank Sinatra’s My Way remained number one alongside Westlife’s You Raise Me Up and X-Factor winner Alexandra Burke’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. Clive Pearson, who runs Pearson Funeral Service, Marsden, said Meatloaf’s rock opera hit Bat Out of Hell and Monty Python comedy tune Always Love on the Bright Side of Life – complete with swearing – were among the weirder requests he’d had.

Nicky at funeral

Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern was joined last night by his two daughters, ex-wife and former partner as he mourned his late friend Senator Tony Kett.Mr Ahern was accompanied by his daughters Cecelia and Georgina and their respective partners David Keoghan and Nicky Byrne of Westlife. His former wife Miriam Ahern was also in attendance, along with his ex-partner Celia Larkin.

4.18.09

Jay and Rocco celebrate their second birthday

Jay and Rocco may be Ireland's most famous twins but their second birthday on Monday will be a quiet affair. The grandsons of former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will celebrate at a family gathering in Portugal. The boys are no strangers to the spotlight, but there are no plans for a big birthday bash.

The pair, who have their own bebo page, were born by c-section at Dublin's Holles Street Hospital 6 weeks early and had to spend the first month of their lives in the hospital. The boys weighed just slightly more than a bag of sugar between them when they were born, with Jay weighing just 2lb 13oz and Rocco a minuscule 2lb 11oz. Since then, they have been thriving, growing sturdy and strong at their lavish Malahide home.

According to their grandfather they are "full of energy. They love fun and games". They even poked fun at their famous grandfather before Christmas when he broke his leg and had it in a plaster cast. "They were imitating me everywhere and falling on the ground pretending they had hurt their legs," Bertie said. The twins have also appeared on the Late Late Show with their Dad as a surprise for one of Nicky's biggest fans, Shauna Byrne (10), just two months before she sadly lost her battle with cystic fibrosis in February.

Last year for their milestone first birthday, champagne flowed at a family party in the Grand Hotel in Malahide but this year is more of a family event. Nicky, took a year off from Westlife to spend time with Georgina and the twins and has said he still wants to have more children. "Hopefully we're not done yet -- we would love to have more kids. "I have always said I would have five," Nicky said. "I don't know if I can convince Georgina on that, but we'll see," he later revealed.

Jodi diets for her wedding

Jodi Albert has revealed to the Herald how she has got into shape for her wedding to Kian next month. "I did it the sensible way -- I ate healthy foods, cut out all the junk and I started exercising a lot -- jogging and working out at least three times a week," she said. "I wanted to slim down a bit but I would never want to be rail thin. I want to look healthy. The trick is not to deprive yourself -- if I wanted a bit of chocolate or some ice-cream, I would have it. I was very disciplined but I allowed myself a couple of treats... if you don't you'll end up craving the wrong things."

Last weekend, pretty Jodie took time out of her busy schedule for her hen weekend. The former Hollyoaks star is a member of a new girlband -- co-managed by her future husband Kian Last night it was a case of hot hens nesting all over Dublin's most chic nightspots. Jodi Albert, sexy actress fiancee of Westlife's Kian Egan, had her hen party in Balzac on Dawson Street. The starlet, who plays a central part in Louis Walsh's new girlband, is getting married in Barbados on May 8. The former star of Channel's 4's Hollyoaks booked several tables in the restaurant. She had also booked the upstairs VIP area of Samsara, the bar that adjoins Balzac in Louis Murray's La Stampa Hotel (Louis was in Marbella with long-term partner Cristina Petrar for the weekend).

Jodi's bandmates -- Kasey Smith, Corinna Dunne, Sharon Condon and Leigh Learmont -- were expected to join her, as were various stars from stage and screen. They obviously had plans to make a big night of it. Jodi booked a table for 20 in the VIP area in Krystal nightclub on Harcourt Street. Meanwhile her husband-to-be, Kian Egan, was having his stag night last night -- believed to be somewhere in Dublin. His manager Louis wasn't answering his phone yesterday morning when I rang to ask him was he going. In any event, Walsh will definitely fly out the week after next for 10 days' holiday at his glamorous bolthole in Miami. From there, he will flying out to stay at Dermot Desmond's Sandy Lane Hotel in St James Barbados before attending the pop stars' wedding extraordinaire on the chi-chi Caribbean island.

Jodi's pre-wedding party

Accompanied by 20 friends, the actress and singer made her way to the VIP section of Kyrstle Nightclub after dinner at Balzac restaurant on Dawson Street. Jodi (25) is clearly embracing Ireland as her second home, laughing: "I love the Irish -- everyone here is so proud of their country, it makes me want to be Irish too," she quipped. "In fact, I do actually have Irish blood as my granny is from Limerick -- she was so thrilled when I started going out with Kian, because he's Irish."

While looking forward to marital bliss with Kian, there are no plans for any babies just yet. "I still think I'm a bit young to start a family. I want to have a really successful career before I start a family, so it'll be another few years at least. I definitely want children but when the time comes I want to be a full-time mum and be there for them all the time."

Louis Walsh's new girlband, who received rave reviews after their appearance on The Late Late Show last year, still have no name. "We think the name of the band is going to be called Wildflower -- it's not definite at all but it's a name we have all agreed that we really like. We think it suits the band and we prefer it to anything else we've heard so far. It's up to the record company and management at the end of the day. We're hoping to have out first single out this summer, but it could be September. It's very exciting -- you won't be disappointed," she promised.

There are clearly no tensions in the band as band-mates Kasey, Corinna, Sharon and Leigh partied away with Jodi on her hen night. "These girls are the best -- truly and honestly. I couldn't have asked for better friends and band-mates. We all get on really well and are all very hard workers," Jodie added. On her much talked about audition back in July last year -- where thousands of Irish girls competed for a spot in Louis' new group -- the bride-to-be remains adamant that favouritism didn't play a part, even though fiance Kian Egan was a judge.

"I have honestly never been so nervous in my life! I really felt the pressure -- everyone was staring at me... I knew I had to give my best ever performance -- I had butterflies in my stomach. But the truth is that Kian is a very smart business-man, like Louis, and he would never have put anyone in a girl group if he didn't think they were up to it. He's too smart for that and wouldn't have let me be part of the group if he didn't think I had the voice. That's why it means a lot that Kian wants me in the band that he's managing... I'm honestly so proud to get the chance to work with him. He's the best," she said.

The bubbly beauty also admits that Louis Walsh is tough but fair. "Louis is great to work with but I will say he has very, very high standards and he demands 100pc from all of us girls the whole time. He is tough -- but that's why he's so successful," she adds.

Kian and Jodi's wedding

Kian will marry Jodi in Barbados on May 8. In an interview with Louis Walsh (Westlife's manager), Louis noted he will take a holiday from his holidays in Miami to attend the pop-star wedding in the Caribbean. He will stay at Dermot Desmond's Sandy Lane Hotel for two days before returning for another two weeks' rest and recuperation in Florida. Before you start referring to those great lines by poet Anthony Cronin "One way or another I've been on my holliers most of my life", Louis needs the break topping up the tan before he returns to these climes to work on new albums by no fewer than five of his acts -- Westlife, Boyzone, Shayne Ward, Michael English and his new girlband -- to say nothing of being a judge on the new series of the X Factor.

Westlife and Rory Mcllroy

Manchester United fan Rory McIlroy admits he is flattered to be called the best sporting talent to come out of Northern Ireland since George Best. And now the 19-year-old from Holywood wants to rack up just as many birdies at the Masters next week. Sir Bobby Charlton was among the first fans on the phone with congratulations after McIlroy won his maiden European Tour event in February. And the mop- headed teenager, who is already getting royal treatment in the United States after appearing on the cover of Sports Illustrated, admitted he was also an admirer of footballing genius Best. "George was a huge superstar all over the world - he went out with three Miss Worlds," said McIlroy, who will practice with Tiger Woods at Augusta. "He was a bit of a boy and probably one of the most talented footballers ever. To be compared to him is pretty nice. I am a big Manchester United fan and I played with Sir Bobby at the Dunhill links last year. He has left a message for me. Shane Filan and the boys from Westlife have also been in touch. It is nice they have taken the time and trouble to do that."

Westlife parties with Boyzone

Boyzone proved they really know how to party last night when they threw a star-studded bash to mark Stephen Gately's 33rd birthday. The generous pop stars splashed out more than €20,000 ($26,000) on top of the range bubbly for the invitation-only affair which fast became the unofficial after party of the Meteor Ireland Music Awards. Having enjoyed a no-expense-spared spread hosted by Meteor at the RDS after the Awards ceremony, a bevy of big names decamped to the elite Stephen's Green venue to continue the celebrations and toast Stephen's big day.

The delighted singer was thrilled by the show of generosity from his bandmates and said he was looking forward to letting his hair down after staying teetotal all day. The star told the Herald that despite it being his birthday and St Patrick's Day he had had just one glass of champagne to calm his nerves before going on stage. He was keen to make up for lost time, however, and joked: "After that it'll be all hell breaks loose." The Dublin native said Boyzone had also bought him "a fantastic Gucci jacket" as a birthday present. "I also got a Gucci shirt, some face creams because I love my face creams, underwear and bits and pieces," he gushed. Among those invited to the exclusive party were X Factor judge Louis Walsh and Westlife members Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan.

3.18.09

Westlife win at the 2009 Meteor Awards!

Westlife beat out Boyzone to win Best Irish Pop Act for the 9th year.. The awards were held yesterday on St. Patrick's Day.

Boyzone vs Westlife at the Meteor Awards

Boyzone and Westlife go head to head tonight at Dublin's Meteor Awards -- and singer Nicky Byrne is hopeful his band will come out on top. Both bands are bidding to clinch the coveted Best Irish Pop Act Award. Westlife have already scooped a staggering eight Meteor Awards in just ten years -- but Nicky is hoping Westlife will get number nine tonight at the glittering awards ceremony.

Despite collecting a clutch of awards at the ceremony over the years, winning a Meteor is still something Westlife star holds dear. "I will have the fingers crossed but just being nominated again was a big thrill for all of us," he said. Both Nicky and Shane will be flying in for the music bash in the RDS tonight -- Kian Egan and Mark Feehily couldn't make it due to other commitments.

Nicky's wife Georgina and Shane's wife Gillian will be accompanying their husbands as they celebrate their achievements. Father-of-two Nicky, who is married to former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern's daughter, Georgina, said of the awards: "I am really looking forward to the Meteors -- it's always a great night. It's great to be nominated by the fans, that's what means so much," The band have been off the scene since last summer -- but their blistering performance in Croke Park last June might just be enough to tip the category in their favour. Some 82,000 fans flocked to Croke Park in June to catch their band play its biggest gig. Brian McFadden recently revealed his biggest regret on leaving Westlife was missing the opportunity at the Croker gig.

3.15.09

Nicky wins award

The Peter Marks VIP Style Awards were held at the Shelbourne hotel last weekend, and Nicky won for Most Stylish Man. Afterwards, star studded after party held at popular Harcourt Street venue Krystle nightclub. Nicky and Georgina were among the partiers, which also included Pippa O'Connor and Brian Ormond.

More on Nicky's adventure in a store window

Westlife's Nicky Byrne was on-the-soup in Dublin this week but don't worry folks, not a drop was had... The spiky blonde crooner was hanging out with Adrian Kennedy & Jeremy Dixon in Clerys' shop front window (as you do) slurping down his dinner and raising money for the ISPCC.Out-there radio jocks Adrian Kennedy & Jeremy Dixon ate, slept, broadcast & lived 24-hours-a-day in the window of Clerys Department store on O'Connell Street this week, all in aid of charity and good will toward their fellow man.

Whilst in their human aquarium they had numerous celebrity guests visit their glass tomb as they broadcast their popular FM104 chat show live and unabashed... Guests such as Nicky Byrne, Louis Walsh, Keith Duffy, and many more kept the two DJs busy during their Big Brother-esque surreal sojourn from reality.

Apart from a Nintendo Wii and the odd celeb caller, the late-night talkers were kept entertained by thousands of well wishers and acting-the-mickey messers who pressed up against the shop's windows to either pass-on messages of support or simply give them a bit o' abuse. Well, this is Dublin after all... Wha are ye like?

Nicky showed up with a bottle of Champers for the two lads last Tuesday night and even stayed on for a bowl of hot soup prepared by his genial yet slightly stir-crazy hosts. Of course hardcore Westlife fans turned-up in their hundreds and went nuts with their idol just feet away in the window.

3.06.09

Nicky joins FM104 staff

As part of a FM104 promo, the staff of FM104 invited a celebrity guest (Nicky) to have dinner with them. His loyal female fans began queuing outside from early morning. By the time he arrived, at 6pm, there was a frenzy. Hundreds of FM104 listeners and Nicky fans catching a once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunity -- Adrian, Nicky and Jeremy eating their dinner. During the show, things went a bit crazy outside our studio window. We had an Al Pacino look-a-like perform ballroom dancing, a topless man with FM104 printed on his chest and an interesting character who spent 20 minutes freestyle dancing for the spectators. Time to get some sleep. We only wish the road-sweeping truck would stop driving by.

Nicky makes a birthday call

Claire O'Connor was the lucky recipient of happy birthday wishes from none other than Nicky. Claire was dressed in a stunning monochrome gown, was rendered speechless when Westlife's Nicky Byrne phoned her at her 21st birthday party recently in the Royal Hotel. Claire's aunt Catherine arranged the phone call from Nicky, having met him at a function and asked him to surprise the birthday girl.

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