Stephen Hughes, Enterprise Ireland director of northern Europe, said: ‘As the biggest export market for the Irish economy, it's critical that Irish brands are known, understood and welcomed in Britain. What's really interesting is the mix of old and new brands.' Among female respondents, Baileys was the most favoured brand, followed by Westlife. Baileys was also the most popular brand among the over-55s.

Top 10 Irish brands
Guinness 17%
Baileys 16%
Westlife 10%
U2 9%
Magners 6%
Jameson 5%
Boyzone 3%
Kerrygold 3%
Ryanair 3%
Murphy's Irish Stout 2%

Us Against the World falls to #18

It wasn't a great debut at #8...and in its 2nd week on the chart, the song falls 10 places to #18 on the UK Radio1 charts. Such a pity indeed.

3.10.08

Us Against the World debuts at #8

In the worst showing ever for Westlife, 'Us Against the World' made its debut at #8 in the UK charts. For the first time ever, a released single failed to make it into the top 5. And that's a shame too, as it is one of Westlife's better releases. It isn't a true debut, however. Officially, it is in its 5th week on the charts. Last week it was at #40. However, this is the first week, in which a physical CD release has been made in the UK. To look on the bright side, the album has sold brilliantly, which likely cut down on demand for the song.

3.09.08

A story on two not-your-average fans

Westlife mad sisters Joyce and June are united in their love for Shane Filan but meeting him would likely set them at war. “If we were to both meet Shane I think we’d be fighting over him,” laughed June, “I don’t think we’d be loving sisters for very long.”

Everyone has a pop star they fancy and for Joyce Ballantye and June Young it’s Westlife’s Sligo singer “with the million megawatt smile that can light up the darkest room” (or at least that’s what bandmate Mark Feehily says). Joyce, 46, and June, 61, have matching framed photographs of Shane in their living rooms and think nothing or shelling out £60-£70 each on the band every year they perform in Cardiff.

“As soon as we see the announcement in the Echo we go straight to the CIA to buy some tickets,” said June, a retired cleaner. “We probably spend £60-£70 a time because the tickets cost around £32, the T-shirts are about £18, the mugs are £10, an A4 photo is about £4 and the key rings are couple of quid as well. If they made Westlife trousers and shoes we’d probably buy those too.”

It’s those £4 A4 photographs that the Ely sisters have framed on their living room cabinets but having shopped around the country for Westlife knick-knacks they have made some happy finds. “I went to Blackpool in October and I found a Westlife pillow in a gift shop so that’s on my bed now,” said grandmother of five June, who lives with her partner Geoff. “It’s nice to cwtch into and it means I can say I have slept with Westlife.”

Unfortunately, the sisters’ seats in front of the Irish foursome at Cardiff International Arena on Sunday night are the closest they have ever got to the band in real life. “We’ve never met any of them, more’s the pity,” said Joyce, a full-time carer for her 86-year-old mother Barbara, who has Alzheimer’s disease. “If I didn’t have to get back to my mum I’d wait outside the stage door for them all night. But I get to see Shane every day this month because his face is on my calendar for March, which is nice because it’s my birthday.”

Because the sisters have always enjoyed the same music, they also share a love for The Everly Brothers and Billy Fury, it makes it easy to buy gifts for one another. June said: “We usually buy each other the latest Westlife album for Christmas and then just swap them over.”

Westlife perform at Cardiff International Arena Tonight, tomorrow and Monday before returning to the venue on May 20. There are a limited number of tickets still available, priced at £32.50, available from the CIA box office on 029 2022 4488.

3.08.08

Shane and Gillian expecting 2nd child

Shane and Gillian announced this week that they are expecting their 2nd child in September. The new baby will join sister Nicole, who is now 2 1/2. Shane told the Daily Mirror, "I can't believe I'm going to become a pop papa for the second time. We're going to be off from the band for a year from the summer so it seems like the perfect time to add to our family. I'm absolutely over the moon and it's going to be incredible to have two children. We didn't want to leave it too long to give Nicole a little brother or sister so it's perfect timing. Gillian is an amazing woman and I feel so proud to be having another child with her. It's going to be hectic in the Filan household with two little ones running around but we really can't wait. With the band taking a year off it is going to give me the chance to get really stuck in and be a great dad. I'll be able to give Gillian all the help she needs. All our friends and family are thrilled. Now we are just looking forward to whatever the future brings."

Kian's female preferences

Kian as you know is engaged to Jodi Albert. But he has recently been quoted as follows in regards to women:

He is quoted as saying: "It seems women nowadays think unless they're a size six then they're not pretty. It's sad and completely untrue. You look at women like Beyoncé Knowles and Jennifer Lopez and they're beautiful and sexy. They've got nice curves and big asses!"

Win Westlife tickets (UK)

Be in with a chance of winning a pair of tickets to see Westlife when they play at M.E.N. Arena by entering this exclusive competition. Fresh from the huge success of their massive album ‘Back Home’, the reigning kings of pop Westlife return with their brand new single ‘Us Against The World’, released March 3rd through Syco Music/SonyBMG. ‘Us Against The World’ is a beautiful, haunting ballad that perfectly showcases the smooth vocal talents of the band. With lush strings, soaring harmonies and an indelible melody, the track has already proved to be a firm favourite with Westlife fans and was the standout performance on their recent ITV prime time special ‘The Westlife Show: Live’. The track is the second single to be taken from Westlife’s new album ‘Back Home’, which entered the UK charts at No.1 last November, incredibly providing the band with their seventh UK No.1 album and spending eight weeks in the Top 10.

Enter the competition

Fire at Westlife concert in Newcastle

Westlife fans know the boys are hot, but even the most devoted were surprised to see the group's performance set the roof on fire. As the popsters sang their new single 'Us Against The World' at Newcastle Arena, a stray firework set the rigging alight and the boys had to flee for 10 minutes while firefighters tackled the blaze. Ever the pros, the lads came back and sang off-the-cuff versions of Take That's "Relight My Fire" and Prodigy's "Firestarter". Nicky told 3am: "It was a one in a million chance, but the fire service dealt with it and we got on with the show."

Westlife and Scandinavians

Shane and Nicky are both happily married men, but they like to be surrounded by beautiful blondes. 'If you want to find some good-looking women there are handfuls of them on every street corner in Sweden!' says Shane. And Nicky is quick to agree. 'Even the average-looking women are absolutely amazing,' he adds.

Mark prefers Scandanavian hunks. 'Of course Freddie Ljungberg is Swedish,' he says. 'His cheekbones are so sharp they could be used as a weapon! You can't take him on a plane.'

3.05.08

Brian's response

Brian released a statement on todaythrough his Australian record label denying that he ever approached his former bandmate. He said, "I never have and never will ask Westlife to rejoin them. My reasons for leaving Westlife still remain as strong today as when I left. I wish them the best but it's not for me and I've happily moved on."

Westlife gets a bigger tour bus

Westlife have been forced to hire a bigger tour bus - because their entourage of "Waggabies" has got so large. With their Back Home arena tour under way, the boy band are on the move a lot - and their loved ones are going with them.

Band member Nicky Byrne said: "All our partners spend so much time together on the road they are like a family. Alongside our wives and girlfriends, we've not got Westlife babies and a boyfriend too - we call them The Waggabies!"

Fellow bandmate Kian Egan also hinted he'd like the Irish hitmakers to perform an unlikely cover. "I'd love Westlife to cover Sweet Child O' Mine by Guns N Roses," he said. "Playing the guitar solo in front of 10,000 people - it wouldn't get better than that!"

Fire on the set!

Westlife raised the temperature in more ways than one tonight after part of their stage set at the MetroRadio Arena in Newcastle caught fire. The incident came part way through their Back Home gig in front of a packed audience. A spokeswoman for the Arena said the incident was dealt with quickly and the concert continued without the need for any evacuation. The fire brigade were not needed. "A pyro went off and caused a small fire," the spokeswoman said. "But within 30 seconds it was extinguished by the venue's fire stewards."

The incident happened around 9.30pm, 45 minutes into the concert by the Irish combo. "Westlife actually mentioned it themselves while on stage to let the audience know that there was something happening," she said. "We have trained fire stewards and they dealt with it quickly. There's always a follow-up investigation of any incident that happens at an event.".

3.03.08

Westlife sets sales record

Westlife has set a record in Wellington, selling out in just three hours of going on sale at Ticketek on Saturday morning. Over 4000 tickets were sold before lunchtime. The promoter, Ian Magan from Pacific Entertainment, says he is thrilled that Wellington has responded in such a way. "This is a reaction befitting the a band of this calibre," says Magan. Magan advises that very good seats are still available in Auckland, New Plymouth and Christchurch. Tickets for the Auckland concert at Vector Arena can be purchased through TicketMaster while tickets for the concert at New Plymouth's TSB Stadium and Christchurch's TSB Arena can be purchased through Ticketek.

Westlife at the Echo Arena

When your audience fan base spans from seven to 70 and you’ve had more number one singles than your youngest fan has had hot school dinners, you know you must be on to a winning formula. Even after 10 years, it’s hard to see where Westlife have put a foot wrong. These days, it’s a more mature Irish quartet who entertain audiences with their chart-topping ballads and contemporary take on classic tracks. Their first visit to the Echo Arena signalled the beginning of their 10th anniversary tour – the Back Home Tour 2008.

Problems with ticket allocations by the ticketing agency proved frustrating for some angry fans who queued for up to an hour at the Arena box office – meaning some missed the first part of Westlife’s two-hour long set. But, in the build-up to the show, the atmosphere was electric and the packed Arena was lit up with flashing lights, wands and rabbit ears as excited fans took to their seats. And as the foursome launched into a number of new and cover tracks, screams echoed around the Arena.

Fans sang along to favourites including World of Our Own, What Makes a Man and Uptown Girl before the band changed the mood with contemporary versions of classic tracks including Barry Manilow’s Mandy; the Jackson 5’s Don’t Blame It on the Sunshine and Kool and the Gang’s Get, Down On it. The Arena was lit up with fireworks, lasers and an impressive light show. A minor technical glitch part way through led to a loss of sound and lighting, but singer Shane Filan apologised to the crowd and reassured them they would always remember Liverpool as the place they performed “the night the power went down”. The problem was fixed within minutes and the show continued without a hitch.

Westlife fill up at Carragher’s cafe

Westlife filled up with some healthy food before entertaining a sell-out crowd at the ECHO Arena. The Irish boy band popped into Jamie Carragher’s restaurant Café Sports England before the show. They tucked into smoothies and Reds star Jamie’s pasta dish, Penne Carragher, on Friday. Café Sports England manager Jenny Cook said: “People did notice them and were very excited. They came to the restaurant at about 4pm and stayed for a couple of hours.”

Kian, Mark, Shane and Nicky stayed at the Radisson SAS in Old Hall Street after the concert.

Ticket chaos hits Westlife concert

Ticket problems caused huge queues outside a Westlife concert in Liverpool last night. Hundreds of fans who bought tickets over the phone fromthe Ticketmaster agency dad to collect them from the ECHO Arena box office when they did not arrive through the post. Long queues built up outside and tempers flared as concertgoers had to wait in the wind and rain for more than an hour.

The gig was delayed by 25 minutes so every fan could take their seat. Kath Johnson, 55, from Liverpool city centre, said: “It has been horrendous. I have never known anything like it. I had to wait over an hour to get my ticket.” Arena general manager Tim Banfield apologised to fans, saying: “The tickets were not sold by the ECHO Arena and we have asked the ticket agent concerned to explain why this arose. Hundreds of fans arrived with email print-outs and credit cards, and we had to check every transaction manually.” The concert itself proved a big winner, with the queues and a two-minute power cut between songs in the middle of the gig failing to silence rows of screaming fans.

Brian still not welcome back

Brian -has called Westlife asking for a reunion tour - but they don't want him back. Ex-bandmate Kian tells me: "He left the group and you can't expect us to take him back. I told him: 'You're never going to be in Westlife again. Accept it!'"

2/27/08

Westlife cancel European leg of tour

Westlife have cancelled there planned tour of Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. In its place, they have a new concert date planned for 5/25/08 in Sheffield, UK.

Westlife tickets in New Zealand selling fast

After a huge response to this week's exclusive Visa pre-sale, good seats remain available at all prices for the Public On Sale this Saturday (1st March) at 9am. Within three hours of tickets being offered on the Visa Entertainment's pre-sale website, Westlife had already outsold some of the biggest artists to come to NZ this year. 'The thirst for Westlife has been phenomenal' says the promoter, 'but not unexpected for a band with such a track record and calibre. We are thrilled by the response for tickets and would urge anybody wanting to see Westlife in concert to book their tickets as soon as tickets go on sale at 9am this Saturday morning. As a special gift to their New Zealand fans in celebration of their debut tour, Westlife will be releasing a NZ only edition of their "best of" album featuring all their greatest hits.

The boys after the Meteor Awards

Westlife turned up at the Kystle after party. From the looks of those pictures, Shane looked plastered. Kian was also at the VIP club with his fiancee Jodi Albert. Nicky turned up with his wife Georgina looking like he spent the night on soft-drinks. Finally, Mark Feehily and his fella Kevin McDaid marched proudly through the crowd of snappers linking-arms to get access to the club. click here for the pics @ Showbiz Ireland

"Back Home" tour kicks off in Belfast

Westlife today announced a new date for Belfast fans as they kicked off the first show of a sensational new tour in style. Thousands of fans - aged from seven to 70 - enjoyed the funky, uptempo show as Shane, Mark, Kian and Nicky returned to the Odyssey Arena last night for the first of three live performances. And the boys today revealed that they have added a return date for the Odyssey Arena for May 27.

The chart-toppers emerged on stage last night dressed in Top Gun inspired aviator sunglasses and black leather jackets. The four-piece had fans screaming as they took centre stage and performed from an impressive back catalogue spanning 10 years. The boys gave the audience a concert packed with all of Westlife's greatest anthems and number one hits, including tracks from their new album, Back Home, to mark their anniversary tour.

Favourites such as World of Our Own and Uptown Girl were among the opening numbers of the crowd-pleasing, energetic set. And in keeping with a funkier, more soulful show, the four piece performed a medley of Justin Timberlake, Kool and the Gang, Jackson 5, Wham! and Robbie Williams' tracks. Fans cried out for more as the boys performed with a new backing band and a trio of female singers called the Westettes.

Shane singled out his wife Gillian - who was in the audience during the gig - dedicating the track 'I'm Already There' to her. With 14 number one singles under their belt, the Irish boyband are currently celebrating a decade in the music business. And to mark their massive success at the top of the charts since 1998, Kian thanked the Belfast fans for the constant support in making their dream come true. "When we started we wanted to be the biggest band that we could be," he said. "And thanks to you all we have done that. Thank you for all your love."

Speaking ahead of the gigs, the last of which is on Wednesday, Shane said: " This is the best set list we have ever done, without a doubt. He hinted: "This show is about 20 minutes longer than usual. Don't leave before the encore - the encore is worth waiting for."

2.22.08

On sale at OK! magazine

Westlife to visit New Zealand for the 1st time

Westlife will be performing in New Zealand in the early part of May. They will perform in Christchurch's Westpac Arena on May 7, Wellington's TSB Arena on May 9, Auckland's Vector Arena on May 10 and New Plymouth's TSB Stadium on May 13.

2.16.08

Westlife get local currency

Westlife were given an unusual Valentine's Day gift live in front of the nation - 10 Totnes pounds. The Irish group were special guests on BBC1's magazine-style programme The One Show, which featured a report on the funky town's plans to cut its dependency on oil and develop its own economy.

Presenter Adrian Chiles quipped the authentic Totnes currency was their 'appearance fee' for appearing on the show, which attracts more than four million viewers each evening. Reporter Lucy Siegel looked at how successful the Transition Town Totnes movement is, to a backdrop of shots taken from various vantage points in the town. She is filmed buying something from Gazebo with Totnes pounds and said: "You can only spend it in independent shops in the town and not the big out-of-town supermarkets, so money stays in the local economy instead of draining away to corporate HQs."

Rob Hopkins, described as the 'chief visionary' of the transition town project, was interviewed and explained his vision for the future. He said: "If you were to walk around Totnes in 2030, you would see houses that would be much better insulated, much more energy efficient. There would be a lot less car traffic, a lot more public transport; you would see food production in places at the moment where we wouldn't necessarily imagine such a thing would be possible."

Shots of the former market garden which dominated the town centre until the 1970s were shown in contrast with what's now Heath's Nursery pay and display car park. Dave Heath, whose father used to run the market business, said the self-sufficient way of growing local produce will more than likely be the model for the future. Back in the studio, Lucy Siegel said the Totnes pound is working because many retailers have bought into the idea. She enthused: "It's a very good idea because it de-links the economy from oil, which we're running out of and it lowers their carbon emissions and they become more green."

2.15.08

Westlife win "8th Best Irish Pop Act" in a row

Westlife walked away with the Best Irish Pop Act for the eighth year in a row at the Meteor Irish Music Awards in Dublin. A total of 19 gongs were presented and host Dara O’Briain introduced performances from Westlife, Boyzone, Shayne Ward, Cathy Davey, The Coronas and a duet from Sinead O’Connor and Republic of Loose.

Westlife on RTE One on 2/16 @ 9:45pm

Farrell and Gleeson Tubridy's guests Colin Farrell and his 'In Bruges' co-star Brendan Gleeson will be among Ryan Tubridy's guests on 'Tubridy Tonight' tomorrow night on RTÉ One. Also appearing on the show will be Westlife and actress Bo Derek, who is presenting an award at the Irish Film & Television Awards on Sunday night. 'Tubridy Tonight' airs on RTÉ One tomorrow night at 9.45pm.

Mark and p0rn

Mark received an unwelcome Valentine's Day surprise - a homemade porn DVD. Nice. Mark, whose new single Us Against The World is out next month, tells us: "A fan sent me a DVD of her having sex. I've also been sent used sex toys. I open my post with Marigolds on these days!"

Macdonald Brothers To Support Westlife On UK Tour

The Macdonald Brothers have been picked by Louis Walsh to support Westlife on their UK tour. And the boys, who release With Love, a limited edition album of acoustic Celtic love songs on Monday, can't wait to get back out on the road later this month. Craig told the Razz: "We spoke with Louis and he was more than happy for us to do the whole tour with the guys. We did the Scots and Irish dates last year straight after The X Factor tour and he and the band were very supportive. We're hoping to get to know Westlife better this time as we have 22 dates with them, so there might be a bit of partying."

Westlife on GMTV 2/12/08

Westlife joined GMTV this morning to talk about why they're still together and going strong after 10 years. Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, Nicky said, "We've been 10 years together this year as a band. I'm pretty happy with that – I never thought we'd make it that long, so this tour is representing and celebrating that."

Shane Filan said their close friendship was the key to them all getting along. "We have a lot of respect for each other individually. There's no hidden agendas in Westlife - we're very honest with each other." The band revealed their plan to 'chill-out' for a year after spending 9 years working non-stop.

Kian Egan said, "We've got a bit of break coming up after the tour… probably the biggest we've ever taken. We're going to take a year out and we're not going to do an album this year."

Shane added, "It's just to spend time with our families and spend time with our kids, just relax. Do anything but sing maybe for a year." The break might be perfect time for Kian to sort out his marriage arrangements. Questioned when the wedding might be, he replied, "We haven't fully decided when yet - we're just waiting to find the right location, shall we say. But yes I'm looking forward to it."

Valentines with Westlife

Speaking fondly of their Northern fans, Shane says that Northern Ireland fans are "crazy", but that they've supported them from day one and are probably "the most loyal fanbase in the world". And Taoiseach Bertie Ahern says that when the band started out, "the people in the North took to them and they took to the people in the North; they love going back".

Nicky admits that there's something about Belfast fans that gives him goosebumps, and that there's always pandemonium when Westlife go to Belfast, making Northern Ireland fans distinctive from those across the world. Nicky also reveals that he enjoys hearing fans standing outside the band's Belfast hotel after a concert at 4am still singing World Of Our Own.

And Shane confesses that if he was planning a night out, he'd probably go to Belfast before he'd take the boys to Dublin. They talk to John about starting out in 1998 and their first ever number one Swear It Again and Shane reveals that they knew they had to be different from the other boy bands. Simon Cowell admits that when he first saw the band, he knew within 30 seconds that he was going to sign them.

Record of the Year winning Flying Without Wings is Bertie Ahern's favourite Westlife song and Shane says it's probably the best song of their career. They do, however, admit that You Raise Me Up was most likely the song that saved their career, which some thought was on the wane at that stage. Mark says: "It brought us right back up to the very top," while Shane says: "It changed our career."

They speak of Brian's much publicised departure and Kian admits that he should never have cried at the press conference announcing Brian was to leave the band but he says he thought the band was over. Shane says that after releasing their current album Back Home, they'll be taking a year off for the first time in 10 years, but Nicky adds: "We want to stay around a long time and conquer the world as a pop band."

Westlife Back Home includes a host of commentators from the local media who have contributed in some way to the band's immense popularity, although some are bigger fans than others! n Westlife Back Home is on UTV tonight at 7.30pm and repeated on Sunday at 5.25pm.

2.08.08

The boys will be on UTV on Valentines's Day. Shane, Mark, Kian and Nicky join presenter John Kearns in a special up close and personal UTV documentary – Westlife Back Home – at 19.30 on Thursday 14 February, celebrating 10 years of Westlife, ahead of their return to play to three sold out concerts in Belfast this month.

Speaking fondly of their Northern fans, Shane says that Northern Ireland fans are ‘crazy’ but that they’ve supported them from day one and are probably ‘the most loyal fanbase in the world’. Nicky admits that there’s something about Belfast fans that gives him ‘goosebumps’ and that there’s always ‘pandemonium’ when Westlife go to Belfast making Northern Ireland fans ‘distinctive’ from those across the world.

Westlife Back Home includes a host of commentators from the local media who have contributed in some way to the bands immense popularity – some are bigger fans than others! Westlife Back Home, on UTV on Thursday 14 February at 19.30 and repeated on Sunday 17 February at 17.25.

2.02.08

So what do the press decide to do on a boring day? What about profiling the physique of some of our boys...these are their quotes...not mine.

"He shot to fame as a fresh-faced heartthrob, but it appears age is now catching up on Westlife's Kian Egan. The 27-year-old singer showed clear signs of male-pattern baldness as he emerged from London's Dorchester Hotel yesterday. "

"But he's not the only member to lose his grip on his boy band appearance - Mark Feehily, 27, showed hints of a growing paunch after attending the South Bank Show Awards that same day. Still, the group appear to be happily embracing a more settled, comfortable life."

Westlife in boyband battle

It's the battle of the boy bands at the M.E.N. Arena after Westlife caught wind that rivals Take That's record-breaking 27 performances had knocked them off the top spot. Take That were crowned 'Most Successful Act in the History of the M.E.N. Arena' last December when their sold-out Christmas shows brought their total Arena performances to 27, beating the previous record of 24 shows held by Westlife. But now, after hearing they'd been knocked off the top by their Manchester counterparts, the Irish superstars have added a third Manchester date to their 2008 tour - bringing their total number of Arena dates level with Take That.

Tickets for Westlife's show on Friday May 23, their third of 2008, go on sale on Friday, February 1 at 9am. Westlife play the M.E.N. Arena on Saturday, March 15 and Sunday, March 16, then Friday, May 23. £40 - £50. Call the Box Office on 0870 060 1768.

Westlife in Aberdeen

Westlife will appear at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre's Press and Journal Arena after additional tour dates were announced. Tthe boys had not initially been scheduled to appear in the Granite City, but will now perform on Friday, May 16. Clarke Milloy, managing director of the AECC, said: "We were very disappointed, as were many fans, when Westlife went on sale with a new tour which did not include Aberdeen. Therefore, we are delighted to be able to announce that they are now to return to Aberdeen, but for one night only. I expect that this announcement will excite fans and tickets will sell fast." Tickets go on sale on Friday at a cost of £32.50 plus booking fee and are available from Ticketmaster on 08444 77 9000 or online at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

Hot chip

Hot Chip are reportedly keen for Westlife to cover a song from their new album. According to The Sun's (UK tabloid) Bizzare page, the band's Felix Martin wishes the cringeworthy Irish boy band would try a version of their 'Made In The Dark' album highlight 'Bendable Poseable'. The percussionist said: “We’ve got a song called 'Bendable Poseable' on the new record. I’d really like Westlife to cover it. A boy band version, with the moves, would be immense!”

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