He pointed out that the density of the proposed two- to four-storey development was four times the existing density, with one apartment block running the length of 11 houses. "As far as we can see, they are railroading themselves in here to cash in on the good work the residents have done to improve this area and then they will make their millions and walk away."

The residents are due to meet early next week to decide what course of action they will take. However, according to Mr O'Sullivan, it will include an appeal to An Bord Pleanala. "We also will be demanding an explanation from the council as to why permission was granted in the face of our genuine concerns," he said.

But he added that even at this late stage, the residents would welcome a meeting with Shafin to see if a compromise could be reached. This is not the first clash that the multi-millionaire singer has had with Sligo residents in his property development career. Last year, the brothers withdrew plans for the construction of a massive €30m 'neighbourhood centre' at Carrowroe on the outskirts of the town. The proposed development, including 76 apartments in two blocks, shops and restaurants had been met with strong local opposition.

1.12.08

Gooseberries Awards

This award is something that you probably don't want to win. Then again, on a slow news day, even this counts as news. The small time awards were held at the Sugar Club in Dublin, Ireland, where hundreds of fans showed up. The awards were devised to pay tribute to the bad and the ugly in Irish music, film and TV and other media. However, the event not surprisingly suffered a similar fate to this weekend’s Golden Globes ceremony in Hollywood — it was boycotted by all the major stars.

Westlife emerged as the big, er, "winners" at the Gooseberries by lifting three of the awards — for Worst Irish Act, Worst Irish Single (Home) and Worst Irish Album (Home), sparing the blushes of other acts like the Frames, Damien Rice, Andrea Corr and Phil Coulter in the process.

1.05.08

A bit more on Kians proposal

Kian as you know prposed to Jodi Albert on Christmas Day. He said, "I'm over the moon that Jodi said yes and I look forward to spending the rest of my life with her." The couple have been dating for the past four-and-a-half years. No date has been set, but the wedding is planned for 2009.

Brian and the Westlife 10th anniversary concert

Brian will be "jealous" when former band Westlife perform their 10th anniversary show this year. He left the Irish boy band in 2004, but has no regrets about pursuing a solo career. He admits he is envious of their plans to celebrate a decade in the music industry with a huge concert in their homeland.

He said: "I don't have any regrets leaving Westlife and I don't wish I was with them again. In saying that though, I will be envious the night they finally play the Croke Park stadium in Dublin. That is the pinnacle of any Irish artist's career."

Brian added to Britain's Hello! magazine: "But I am so delighted to see the boys doing so well. They are the hardest working act I have ever seen. They deserve the success they are getting now."

Last year, Westlife insisted they wouldn't be inviting Brian to join them on stage for their special show. Kian said: "Brian isn't in Westlife any more. Why would he be joining us? He will be there watching us perform, kicking and screaming inside that he left the band." Nicky added: "I am sure he will want to come and cheer us on."

Westlife invited to Brian's wedding

Brian said he is planning to invite the other member of Westlife to his wedding with Australian singer Delta Goodrem. No date has yet been set for the big day but it is expected Brian will marry his pop star fiancee in 2009. The father-of-two, who was previously married to Kerry Katona, said: "It's more realistically going to be 2009, due to our massive workload. We don't want our wedding to be squeezed in between Delta doing a gig and me shooting a video. We want to have space and time to enjoy it."

The four remaining Westlife members - Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan - all attended his first wedding to former Atomic Kitten Kerry. But Brian said he was not sure the boys could go this time. "I'll be inviting them. Whether they come or not is a different matter," he said. "It'll be hard enough to plan a wedding around our schedules, let alone theirs."

UK #2 ...again!

Repetition isn't all that bad. For the 8th week, "Back Home" is in the top 3 albums list...clocking yet another week at #2. This has to be the most impressive run for any Westlife album. In fact, in only 8 weeks, "Back Home" is the 5th best selling album in the UK for all of 2007! Impressive feat for a group that's been around almost a solid 10 years.

12.28.07

Kian proposes to Jodi

...and it's I do! Congrats to them both!
Kian (27) and actress Jodi Albert (23) announced their engagement on Christmas Day, just like Nicky did a few years back. They have been going out for 4 years now. Last month Kian had said in an interview that he planned to ask Jodi to be his wife, but planned to do it after the New Year. He said, "I don't think I will do it at Christmas. Not that it's corny, I think it's lovely to do it at Christmas time -- that's what Nicky did. It's just that I have a different plan, nothing to do with Christmas." Well, I guess there are still some small surprises left in the world.

UK #2 again!

For the 7th straight week in the top 3, sure to be a Westlife record by now, "Back Home" is holding strong at #2. Leona Lewis has now had the #1 album for six consecutive weeks, which is equally as impressive.

12.20.07

Boring is good...

Mark has said he can't wait for Christmas, because he's looking forward to a break from "the big mad world" of showbusiness.He says he and the rest of the group are excited about spending time with their families over the festive season. "At Christmas we'll be back home with our families, we'll be spending time with our friends, socialising, switching off from the big mad kind of world of showbusiness and just kind of being very normal to be honest. I don't think any of us are doing anything too extravagant. I think we just wanna get home and be boring!"

watch a short video

12.17.07

Hours after thrilling fans with a special live showcase of their greatest hits, Westlife hit London's nightspots with their spouses in tow. The band are celebrating 10 years in the business and topped off 2007 with a festive TV special on Saturday night.

Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne were pictured hitting the town in style, with wives Gillian and Georgina at their sides as they visited the Embassy Nightclub. Georgina and Nicky cut dashing figures in black and silver party outfits, the Taoiseach's daughter looking svelte and stunning after giving birth to twins earlier this year.

Westlife were in a mood to celebrate after delivering polished versions of their hit songs to a select studio audience of fans. The live ITV show was hosted by Holly Willoughby and the group performed five songs voted by fans online, chosen from the best Westlife classics.

They also performed exclusive material from their new album 'Back Home' and their latest single 'Us against the World'. When asked if they still got a buzz from performing in front of an audience, Shane said: "Yes, especially if it's a live TV show like this one, it's even more exciting then." Shane puts the key to Westlife's success down to "great songs, hard work and honesty within the band and the people we work with".

Westlife still #2 in the UK

6 weeks into its release, "Back Home" remains one of Westlife's longest lasting chart hit, as it stays at #2 yet again on the UK charts. #1? It remains Leona Lewis with a 5th consecutive week, as she sells over 1 million albums in the UK.

12.14.07

The Westlife Show: Live Saturday 15 December 2007 6:15pm - 7:15pm on ITV1.

Westlife, are treating their fans to a one-off musical extravaganza, The Westlife Show: Live, exclusively for ITV1. The Westlife Show: Live is a colourful celebration of the band's hits spanning their record-breaking career. Of the tracks Shane, Kian, Mark and Nicky sing on the night, five will be the top tracks voted for online ahead of the show from a selection of Westlife's classic number ones. Which of their classic hits will make the top 5? Flying Without Wings, Mandy, World Of Our Own, My Love, Unbreakable, You Raise Me Up...?

This live show is to be hosted by Holly Willoughby and in addition to the classics Westlife will be performing exclusive material from their new No.1 album, Back Home, and there'll also be some extra special guests, as well as some surprises in store.

Westlife member Shane says: "We're very excited and thrilled to have our own TV special. We've seen so many amazing TV specials over the years on ITV1 so it's an honour to finally have our own".

Kian continues: "There'll be lots of our biggest hits plus new songs from the new album Back Home. Also, there'll be a couple of really good surprises which we can't reveal yet. Fans will also have had chance to choose some of the songs we perform, which is best bit about the show really".

When asked if they still get a buzz from performing in front of an audience, Shane says: "Yes, especially if it's a live TV show like this one, it's even more exciting then."

Kian continues, "The audience is going to be made up of our biggest fans, so it's going to be quite a spectacle". If they had to pick one of their number 1 hits to perform on the night, Shane plumps for "You Raise Me Up. Every time we sing it we never get sick of it".

Kian says that the highlight of his career so far is "still being together after nearly ten years. We are very proud of that". Shane puts the key to Westlife's success down to "Great songs, hard work and honesty within the band and the people we work with".

12.12.07

Mark and Kevin

The Attitude magazine article certainly is getting more attention, now that its been highlighted by the UK tabloid, "The Sun". The following is an excerpt from the article.

It's taken 3 years, but Mark and Kevin feel its time to reveal all. The couple had previously shied away from talking about their relationship publically, reportedly turned down numerous magazine deals and TV appearances. Mark met Kevin, former member of now defunct boyband 'V', at a charity pop gig in Dublin. After striking up a drunken conversation they took each others' number and it was Mark who sent the first text.

Kevin told Attitude magazine: "I was texting him back taking the p**s. Westlife were rehearsing for a tour and one of the costumes was like workmen".

Mark replied: "The Kwik Fit Fitters. He was taking the piss out of me for my dodgy outfit but he’d dressed up as an ice cream man for one of his performances. I quite liked the Kwik Fit Fitter outfit, actually."

The pair now feel they'll stay together for life, but if you come across Mark, don't ask him about civil partnerships - he'd fed up of being asked. Mark said: "At the start I used to think it was a topical issue because of civil partnership, which I think by the way sounds like a f*****g operation or something. It’s marriage, you know? It sounds like a lung transplant."

Kevin added: "I think we’ll look into it in the future. At some point in our relationship we’re going to want to basically celebrate being together." And it is a good excuse for a good old shindig isn’t it?

Westlife in Manchester

Real Radio Wales has been awarded radio station of the year at the GMG Radio Christmas party and awards ceremony. Staff mingled with the stars including Westlife, McFly, Billy Ocean and Gabrielle at the glitzy event in Manchester on Saturday. Westlife flew in for the evening to perform their latest hit single ‘Home’, and present the award to Real Radio’s managing Director, Andy Carter.

Westlife #2 in UK (still)

"Back Home" is still holding strong in the UK, scoring a strong #2 in its 5th week of release. Leona Lewis still has the UK#1 album...I can't remember the last time an act has held that position for such a long period of time.

12.11.07

Westlife in Northampton, UK: Superfan

A Westlife fan had the shock of her life when Westlife itself burst onto a stage to interrupt the tribute band she was watching. The woman was taken by her fiance to Brafield Working Men's Club in Brafield-on-the-Green, on the promise of seeing a tribute to the popular Irish four-piece. But the club had been taken over by an ITV camera crew from the program 'Superfan', to surprise the lucky lady.

Club secretary Brenda McMahon said: "The tribute band were playing and were very good, but then halfway through the real Westlife came in, pushed them off the stools and stepped in themselves. She nearly passed out. They presented her with flowers and gave her a kiss."

The band appeared at the club at a night which had only been publicised in Brafield-on-the-Green. Mrs McMahon said: "The club was full with lots of friends and our regulars. Westlife only did the one song, but the tribute band stayed on until about 9pm. When they came on the whole place erupted. Lots of people were texting and ringing their friends so the band had to make a quick getaway. We put a security man on the door because of all the people."

The idea for Superfan was dreamed up Mrs McMahon's god daughter, who is a producer at ITV. She said the show had been "quite exciting", adding she had kept it secret from everyone in the village for three weeks. She added: "They were very nice lads, really nice people. It was really nice to meet them - but I wish it could have been Tom Jones." The show will be screened on Saturday, December 15.

12.09.07

Next single: Us Against the World

The boys have been shooting the new video this past week at Twickenham Rugby Stadium in London. The single will be released in February, and the video features their loved ones. It is meant to be a special celebration of their 10 years together as a group. Even Louis Walsh will make a cameo appearance in this one.

Christmas with Westlife

(from the Sunday Mirror)
The amount of primping and preening it takes for Westlife to get ready for our Xmas shoot over the page, you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d been taking tips from the ladies in their life. But once they’re all tuxed up and ready for their close-up, they add a bit of suave to our East London location house, with it’s creaking floor boards, Miss Havisham-esque dust-coated roses on the mantelpiece and dim lighting. It’s all rather creepy – but very in-keeping with our Cluedo-inspired Crimbo shoot.

‘Maybe it’s haunted,’ says Shane.

‘Do you think if I pull this light shade, a secret door to the pantry will open?’ laughs Mark picking up a dusty lamp.

Best behaviour now boys... Where are you spending Christmas?
Shane: At home in Sligo with my wife Gillian and two-and-a-half year old daughter Nicole.
Mark: I’ll be at home in Sligo too. The first half of Christmas is about family, the second is about getting hammered with mates.
Nicky: This is a really exciting Christmas for me as Georgina and I had twins, Rocco and Jay this year. They’re seven-months-old now so it’s their first Christmas. My family eat with us in Dublin on Christmas Day as does Georgina’s. I’m the drinks guy – I always make sure the bar is stocked and the Guinness is flowing.
Kian: I’ll be darting between my family in Ireland and Jodie’s (Albert) family.

What’s been your best and worst-ever Christmas present?
Mark: My best was my hi-fi system I got when I was 12, back when they were the size of a spaceship. With it they gave you a list of five albums you could send away for free, so I got TLC’s Crazy Sexy Cool, Mariah Carey and Celine Dion. It was the first time I really sang along to anything. My worst was the year I didn’t get the supersonic military helicopter from Airwolf. I thought Santa’s a good guy, he gets you anything. I was so disappointed when it didn’t arrive.
Kian: My drumkit was my best. I was about 10. I remember bashing it until mum wanted to throw it out the window.

What do you want for Christmas this year?
Nicky: Our families don’t know what to buy us as they assume we have everything. But I honestly always need socks and boxer shorts. I can never find a pair. There is definitely a sock monster in Westlife. I blame Mark Feehily.
Kian: It’s true. I had to wear Jodie’s tiny girl-socks the other day because I couldn’t find a pair of my own.

Have you ever had an embarrassing Christmas party moment?
Mark: Shane might seem quite reserved now but you should see him with a couple of vodkas in him.
Shane: I got pissed at a party once and tried to do the Michael Flatley Riverdance. In fact I made quite a habit of it for a while.
Mark: Recently I went to a friend’s house party and I woke up at about half eleven in the morning in the communal hallway of my own apartment block. I was in my Westlife clothes from a photoshoot – the hair and make-up all done – lying face down in a little bit of drool. If anyone realised it was me I don’t know what the f*** they must have thought!

Who would you like to kiss under the mistletoe?
Nicky: My wife, Georgina.
Shane: My wife Gillian, of course.
Mark: My boyfriend Kevin.
Kian: Jodie. Obviously, it’s the person you’ve chosen to be with.

Any New Year’s resolutions?
Shane: I want to get in the best shape of my life. It’ll take six months, so I’m told. I want to stop being a lazy bastard.
Mark: I gave up smoking six months ago so my resolution is to keep it up.
Kian: I want to lose a stone by next summer. And be flexible enough to touch my toes.
Nicky: And he wants to be able to do the splits too.
Kian: Nah, leave that to Jodie.
Nicky: I want to start a fitness routine as well. Having new babies makes you too busy, so I plan to get back into it.

The Westlife Show: Live is on Dec. 15 on ITV2 @ 6.15pm

Nicky on Christmas

What are your plans?
It's my first year as a dad so Santa Claus is coming! My family and my wife Georgina's folks come to us. We put on a big spread and have a bar and a snooker table in the house so it's fun.

Have you got any Christmas traditions?
Every Christmas Eve I go into town with old schoolmates. It started when we were 16, with us going in to get our last presents. Then it developed into a few pints in town and that was our day. We're all dads now so it's less of a big one - it will probably just be an hour or two.

What would you like from Santa?
I'm well down the pecking order, with the twins Rocco and Jay - who are now seven months - taking priority. We were thinking of spoiling them at Hamleys.

What's your favourite Christmas film?
Santa Claus: The Movie. My mum said: "This is the real Santa Claus, not like the one you go to meet."

What was your best Christmas?
In 2002, when I proposed on Christmas Day. We'd just bought our dream home in Dublin, I had the ring and had bought her a labrador puppy. I said: "We have the house, we have the dog, we have everything and more but there's something else we've got to do," and that was it.

Irish chart updates

Westlife continues to hold onto the top 5 with "Home", 5 weeks after its release. It stays at #4 for a second week. The top ten singles in full:
1. (1) Leona Lewis: 'Bleeding Love'
2. (2) Shayne Ward: 'Breathless'
3. (3) Timbaland ft. OneRepublic: 'Apologise'
4. (4) Westlife: 'Home'
5. (5) Take That: 'Rule The World'

12.6.07

More #1s

A few choice quotes from the lads:

Westlife have had 14 #1s thus far, compared to 17 by the Beatles. Shane said, “If a song is at number three we’re not happy, which is ridiculous. We’d like 20 number ones before we call it quits.”

Nicky told New Woman mag that the band felt old – but TAKE THAT’s reunion “made us feel like spring chickens” and inspired their comeback.

New video and other small updates

The new single has yet to be named, but on Tuesday (12/4), the boys shot the new video for that single. the boys have also shot two photoshoots for the Christmas editions of the Sunday Mirror and Tesco magazine. Mark and Kevin (his bf) have also done an interview and photoshoot for the front cover of Attitude magazine.

12.4.07

Westlife drops to #3 (again)

In continued strength, Westlife's "Back Home" continues to sell well in its 4th week on the UK charts. It drops just one spot to #3, with #1 going to Leona Lewis (X Factor 2007 winner) and #2 going to Shayne Ward (X Factor 2006 winner). Despite all those naysayers, "Back Home" is a fantastic album (the first in a long while), and all you have to do is watch the charts and consumers.

Westlife supports Emeralds and Ivy Ball

Ronan Keating revealed that he was thrilled and shocked that so many friends and fellow celebrities turned out to support him at his Emeralds & Ivy Ball. The event was held at Old Billingsgate in London and raised money for Cancer Research UK and the Marie Keating Foundation. Stars making an appearance include Boyzone's Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch, Westlife's Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan, Jodie Kidd, Rod Stewart and Penny Lancaster, Neil Fox and Dougray Scott.

11.29.07

The Westlife Show: Live on ITV1 (UK)
Saturday, 12/15/07: 6:15pm - 7:15pm

(from the press release) The Westlife Show: Live is a colourful celebration of the band’s hits spanning their record-breaking career. Of the tracks Shane, Kian, Mark and Nicky sing on the night, five will be the top tracks voted for online ahead of the show from a selection of Westlife’s classic number ones.

Which of their classic hits will make the top 5? Flying Without Wings, Mandy, World Of Our Own, My Love, Unbreakable, You Raise Me Up...? This live show is to be hosted by Holly Willoughby and in addition to the classics Westlife will be performing exclusive material from their new No.1 album, Back Home, and there'll also be some extra special guests, as well as some surprises in store.

Westlife member Shane says: “We’re very excited and thrilled to have our own TV special. We’ve seen so many amazing TV specials over the years on ITV1 so it’s an honour to finally have our own”.

Kian continues: “There’ll be lots of our biggest hits plus new songs from the new album Back Home. Also, there’ll be a couple of really good surprises which we can’t reveal yet. Fans will also have had chance to choose some of the songs we perform, which is best bit about the show really”.

When asked if they still get a buzz from performing in front of an audience, Shane says: “Yes, especially if it’s a live TV show like this one, it’s even more exciting then.” Kian continues, “The audience is going to be made up of our biggest fans, so it’s going to be quite a spectacle”.

If they had to pick one of their number 1 hits to perform on the night, Shane plumps for "You Raise Me Up. Every time we sing it we never get sick of it". Kian says that the highlight of his career so far is “still being together after nearly ten years. We are very proud of that”. Shane puts the key to Westlife's success down to “Great songs, hard work and honesty within the band and the people we work with”.

11.27.07

"Back Home" rises to #2

This has definitely been one of Westlife's better albums, and you can also tell that just by looking at the charts. 3 weeks after its release, the album actually rises one spot on the UK charts from #2 to #3. Of course it still is being beat by Leona Lewis, who holds onto the #1 spot for a second straight week.

Kian reveals plans to propose

In the RTÉ Guide, Kian reveals his plans to propose to Jodi, who he has dated for 4 years. Rumours have been circulating for the past year that the couple had already secretly wed, however Kian has revealed he has yet to pop the question. However the Sligo star said that he plans to propose to the former Hollyoaks star in the near future, but not over the festive season.

Kian told the RTÉ Guide: "I don't think I will do it at Christmas, not that it's corny, I think it's lovely to do it at Christmas time - that's what Nicky did. It's just that I have a different plan and it has nothing to do with Christmas."

Meanwhile Westlife have announced they will perform their greatest hits in a 'Late Late Show' special due to be screened on December 28. A full interview with the four-piece will also feature in the bumper Christmas edition of the RTÉ Guide.

Westlife banned from performing "Home"

According to The Sun, Westlife were banned from performing their new single on last week's X Factor. Show stars Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh don’t want to be accused of using the ITV1 program to plug their talent. So far this series, last year’s winner Leona Lewis appeared to sing her #1 hit 'Bleeding Love'. And 2005 winner Shayne Ward performed his new single 'Breathless'.

Despite Westlife having recently released their cover of Michael Buble’s hit 'Home', they will not sing it on the TV talent show on Saturday night. A show source said: “Simon and Louis have come under fire for booking all their artists on the show. But why shouldn’t they? It’s the same family and it’s the biggest show on TV. However, Westlife will be mentoring the finalists — and will not sing Home.”

Westlife singer Mark Feehily said: “We’re going to perform a track off our album. It’ll be an exclusive performance.”

The band also revealed their favourites to win the X Factor. Mark added: “Beverley has the best chance out of Louis’ group and then Rhydian.”Shane Filan said: “He (Rhydian) has got personality and character and that goes a long way in the industry.”

Westlife monthly news archives