Latest Westlife News

note: thanks to the following websites for providing some of the news items found on this site - MTVasia | dotMusic | The Sun | BBC | WENN

The Westlife news archives can be found at the bottom of the page

For the month of April, the latest news will be found in the news forum of this site. It already has a huge archive of articles and gossip from the internet from March, posted in our forums by one of our dedicated members.

westlife.org - News Forum
westlife.org - General Forum (including pics of Turnaround tour)

7/05/04

Jodie ranks

Has Jodie Marsh at last given up turning up at bashes wearing little more than her birthday suit? At the weekend Jodie, 24, arrived at Sam's Nightclub in Brentwood, Essex, wearing a "Sexpert" T-shirt giving her former conquests scores out of 10.

Bottom of the list was club boss Fran Cosgrove on zero, followed by Westlife's Kian Egan with two. Singer Dane Bowers got six, while model Calum Best got seven. Top of the list was Scott Sullivan, Jordan's ex, with a nine.

Can Westlife finally crack the US market without Bryan McFadden?

Fans out in force for a day of celebrity football

READING rocked to the sound of an unlikely beat as the Music Industry Soccer Sixes came to Madejski Stadium yesterday.

A town more accustomed to welcoming the biggest rock and pop names to its music festival instead found itself the centre of attention for a footballing battle of the bands.

About 5,000 people turned up to see Blazin’ Squad, Snow Patrol and Starsailor in action, along with Westlife’s Nicky Byrne and former bandmate Bryan McFadden.

The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, was in aid of the Prince’s Trust and was the first of its kind to be staged at the home of Reading Football Club.

But if anyone believed that meant it was not the winning that counted, but the taking part, they should have tried telling Radio One DJ Chris Moyles.

Moyles gloriously led his team to victory over Bryan McFadden’s side in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to decide the final.

And the fun-loving DJ claims he is considering a change of career.

“There was no way I was playing,” he told the Evening Post.

“I’m a manager, not a player, and I think you have to concentrate on one thing or the other.
“Now I’m thinking of going full-time next season and that could be with Leeds United. I reckon after today that I’m the man to get them back into the Premiership.”

Leeds fan Moyles had former Elland Road star Lee Sharpe in his squad as well as the tournament’s two outstanding strikers in So Solid Crew’s Harvey and Brookside’s Phil Oliver.

Oliver was their hero in the final, cancelling out Brian O’Neill’s opener for McFadden’s side and then netting the crucial penalty in a 5-4 shootout victory.

Defeat was clearly a bitter pill for a dejected McFadden to swallow, as his side had beaten a depleted Radio One side 4-0 in their opening group game.

Blazin’ Squad boasted the biggest fan base on the day and the screams at the Madejski were never louder than when the young rap stars beat Starsailor in a nerve-jangling quarter-final penalty shootout.

Blazin’ Squad finally fell to Radio One, 5-2 in the semis, while McFadden’s crew beat Six Life 4-2.

But clearly not everyone was a fan of the Blazin’ Squad side.
EastEnders star James Alexandrou, who plays Martin Fowler in the soap, managed only half a game all day after arriving late and then suffering an injury as his Six Londoners’ side crashed out in the group stages.

“I turned up half way through our last match and then one of the Blazin’ Squad boys did my ankle. Tell him I’ll meet him at the crossroads and do him in!”

Cash bonus for musicians at Hong Kong festival
Hong Kong
17 May 2004 12:23

Pop stars Neil Young and Prince were paid $1,5-million more than they would normally receive to play a post-Sars (severe acute respiratory syndrome) festival in Hong Kong, according to an independent inquiry on Monday.

Prince was paid $1,3-million, $800 000 more than his usual maximum fee for a concert in the United States, for his one-night appearance at the Harbour Fest event last October.

Neil Young received $800 000, $700 000 more than his usual maximum fee in the US, an independent panel's report into the heavily criticised event revealed.

Boy band Westlife received $500 000, which surpassed by $300 000 the amount they would have expected for a show in the US, while Santana received $850 000, $100 000 above their maximum fee.

Other international artists at the government-subsidised three-week event included the Gipsy Kings, who were paid $275 000, $150 000 more than their usual top fee.

Even veteran Australian rockers Air Supply received $125 000, compared with their regular maximum fee of $40 000.

The total bill for Western artists reached nearly $10-million. However, the festival's headline act, the Rolling Stones -- who received a reported $5-million for two shows -- were one of only two acts paid within their usual maximum fee guidelines. The other act was Michelle Branch.

The panel used an industry website in the US to gain its comparison fees.

Last year's Harbour Fest ran from October to November, included 16 shows and was organised to boost Hong Kong's international image after the Sars crisis, which led to a slump in the city's economy.

However, high ticket prices and a mostly Western line-up of artists led to half-empty turnouts at the specially built stadium and a wave of criticism against the organisers, the American Chamber of Commerce (Amcham).

The chamber and the government were both criticised by the independent panel for the shortcomings in the event, which ate up $12,8-million of taxpayers' money in subsidies.

Mike Rowse, the civil servant who heads the government's investment arm Invest Hong Kong, and Amcham chairperson Jim Thompson were singled out for particularly sharp criticism.

Responding to the report, Financial Secretary Henry Tang said: "With hindsight both the [government] working group and Amcham underestimated the complexity of organising Harbour Fest and overestimated its benefits -- in many respects, we all could have done better."

Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa said he accepted the panel's conclusions and would consult the secretary for the civil service to see if any action needed to be taken against any officer involved. -- Sapa-DPA

SAD to say, but there is something unmistakably Basil Fawlty about Westlife's current Turnaround tour. Not that the cheeky Irish chappies bear even the slightest resemblance to the hapless hotelier.

No, the similarity extends to one Fawlty Towers moment only. However, where Basil insisted on not mentioning the war, for Westlife there was a rather different taboo - Bryan McFadden.

True, he may have been part of their close-knit fraternity for years, smiling sweetly for the cameras and belting out those saccharine-sweet hits.

But, as the first member of the boy band to jump ship in order to spend more time with his Queen of the Jungle wife, Kerry, it seems Bryan's name is now strictly off limits.

Instead, the rest of the band - Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky - used their sell-out gig at the M.E.N. Arena to assure us that they are quite happy as a foursome, thank you very much.

Just don't mention Bryan. Or splitting up. It's just not going to happen. They're unbreakable, they say. But, while the lads seemed to put a great deal of effort into proving they could cut it as a quartet, including a tribute to the original Fab Four with a cover of The Beatles' classic Help!, there was just something not quite right.

Of course, they did their best, treating the audience to a selection of their greatest hits, with some fancy footwork and fireworks along the way. And the fans, around 16,000 of them, in fact, did seem to love every minute of it.

But something was definitely missing. Perhaps it was Bryan's famously cheeky antics that gave the whole group that twinkly-eyed charm.

Now that he's not there, proceedings certainly seem a lot more serious. And you know what happened to the Spice Girls when they went down that path. Not to mention Take That.

Looks like the writing is on the wall.

Extra tour dates for westlife

By Maureen Coleman
mcoleman@belfasttelegraph.co.uk
03 April 2004

WESTLIFE have added a further two dates on to the Belfast leg of their Turnaround tour, it was confirmed today.

The boys, who are in the city until tomorrow night, will return to the Oydssey Arena on Sunday, June 6 and Monday, June 7.

The final two dates will mark the end of their current tour.

Last Monday Westlife, minus Bryan McFadden, kicked off the tour in Belfast.

Peter Aiken of Aiken Promotions said the extra dates had been added due to phenomenal demand.

"The Odyssey shows have always been among the best for Westlife, which is why the boys decided to start their 2004 tour in Belfast," he said.

"Now a four-piece, the loyalty and encouragement that the Northern Irish fans have shown has helped prove that the band is as popular as ever."

Tickets, priced £30, go on sale tomorrow at the Odyssey Box Office.

WESTLIFE last night did their first live gig without BRYAN McFADDEN.

The quartet went down a storm in an emotionally-charged show at Belfast Oddysey Arena – and their charismatic ex-singing partner never even got a mention.

The nearest they came was when the band appealed to the 8,000 crowd: “We need your support more than ever.” The boys, KIAN EGAN, SHANE FILAN, MARK FEEHILY and NICKY BYRNE, appeared dressed in mobster-style white suits.

Kian said: “Thank you very much for coming on such an important night for us. We could not have picked a better place to start our world tour.” But any disappointment disappeared as the lads belted out 20 songs, including the hits World Of Our Own, Flying Without Wings and Mandy. Bryan had called the band to wish them well and to say he would be seeing them at the venue on Friday. Judging by the reception his former bandmates received, he might regret his decision to quit.

4/01/04

Nottingham Evening Post puts Westlife on the front cover

In the Nottingham Evening Post's Essential Guide this Friday, April 2:
Westlife's Mark Feehily talks about the departure of Bryan and those rumours of an impending split. Plus, why he didn't want to 'do' Mandy but wouldn't stand-up to Simon Cowell -- and why he can't find love in London. For more info and to order copies of the Entertainment Guide, which includes Westlife front cover, click here

3/09/04

Bryan quits Westlife for family. Click here for the complete story.

3/07/04

Bryan in court

Bryan appeared in an Irish court earlier this week to face three charges of speeding, careless driving and driving without due care and attention on the M1 in Co Dublin on September 23, 2002. He arrived with Kerry at Balbriggan District Court, Co Dublin with his wife, Kerry.

After an application by the prosecution to delay the hearing for two months, the court was told Bryan was leaving tomorrow for a six month tour. The hearing was adjourned until October 28.

Nicky and Bryan in charity match

Nicky and Bryan today threw down the gauntlet to teams taking part in a charity football match in Belfast this weekend - "beat us if you dare". The chart-topping pair will be taking to the pitch when they join a celebrity line-up for SoccerMagic at the Odyssey Arena on Sunday.

Along with some friends, Nicky and Bryan will be fielding a team on the day, Best Westies, and are confident the tournament trophy will be heading back to Dublin.

Nicky, a former Leeds Utd player, said: "I know it's a charity match but I'm very competitive and really want to win. I've got a few friends on the team and so has Bryan and we're pretty hopeful we'll be bringing the trophy back down south. We're both big football fans so we were very keen to take part, particularly as it's for charity. We're not worried about the other teams taking part, we'd just like to see them try and beat us."

Nicky, who played in goals for Leeds, said he would be taking on the captain's role.

"I'm a big Manchester Utd fan so I'll be the Roy Keane of the team," he said. A host of stars have been lined up to take part in the charity match, including well-known names from Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks. The five-a-side event will be presented by Dermot O'Leary as well as the BBC's Stephen Watson and UTV's Pamela Ballentine.

Organisers are also hoping Bryan's wife, Queen of the Jungle, Kerry McFadden, will also attend. Nicky said: "It will be a really good day out for all the family and we can't wait to take part. We're in Belfast again on March 29 for our tour but we're looking forward to getting back to the Odyssey Arena this Sunday for SoccerMagic."

Westlife win Best Pop Act at Meteor Awards

Westlife have proven they are just at popular at home in Ireland as they are in the rest of the world, by winning best pop act at the Meteor Awards in Dublin. It is the fourth time in as many years that the hunky boy-band has received the honour.

"We are absolutely thrilled," said bandmember Shane. "We couldn't have wished for a better homecoming. This year is special because it's the fourth year in a row we've won the best pop award. It means so much."

The boys celebrated their victory with a live performance at the event followed by a glitzy after-show party. But theirs wasn't the only memorable performance, because The Corrs also came along to give their first live show in three years. And soul veteran Lionel Richie likewise made quite an impression by singing a selection of his greatest hits.

Other celebs turning heads at the bash included Hollyoaks star Jodi Albert, who is dating Westlife's Kian Egan, and Miss World Rosanna Davison, who hails from Dublin. Former Atomic Kitten Kerry McFadden meanwhile received a standing ovation when she turned out to present one of the gongs.

Obvious enters the charts at #3

#1 went to Andre's Mysterious Girl. #2 went to Jamelia's Thank You

Westlife star hits back at Hospice criticism

Celebrity newly-weds Shane and Gillian Filan were today embroiled in a row with a hospice over wedding donations. The Westlife star and his new bride have expressed surprise and shock that Sligo's North-West Hospice has gone public with details of cash donations to the charity from their wedding guests.

The couple yesterday accused the hospice of prompting disparaging descriptions of their guests, family, and friends. The couple's Christmas wedding at Ashford Castle was plunged into the spotlight by North-West Hospice administrator Eugene McGloin, who expressed his huge disappointment that less than 10,000 euros was received from the estimated 380 wedding guests [talk about ungratefulnees...sheesh].

The Sligo-based hospice, which was nominated as the couple's chosen charity in lieu of wedding gifts, had been expecting to receive between 25,000 and 50,000 euros from the high profile event, he said. Yesterday, the shocked couple hit back, saying their guests had been under no obligation to make a donation.

"We gave no guarantee to the North-West Hospice as to any minimum amount that they could expect," the couple said. "Whatever their stated reason for seeking this publicity, their actions have embarrassed a lot of people. This may serve their purpose of generating further donations but we find the actions of the North-West Hospice far from charitable," they said.

However, Mr McGloin claimed that he had spoken in response to media queries and insisted that details of all donations were routinely published in the hospice newsletter. The perception had been widespread that the North-West Hospice had been rolling in money after the event, he said, but this was not the case.

Westlife have paid £4million for their own private jet. Each of the boy band members are said to be chipping in with £800,000 for the Gulfstream III jet.

According to The Sun, the plane will have state-of-the-art seats with built-in plasma screens, DVD player and game consoles PlayStation 2 and Xbox. There will also be a small but well-equipped music studio built at the back of the jet. The outside of the plane will be repainted with the Westlife logo. It will have a range of 3,500 miles and a top speed of 529mph.

It's reported the plane will be based at Dublin airport, with the band members and their partners getting equal access. When not in use, the jet will be rented out to recoup some of the cost.

Nicky sat at the front row of the Julien Macdonald show last week with wife Georgina, and afterwards several agencies approached them to do modelling work. But Nicky wants to take things further. A pal of the singer says, "He'd like to invest in an existing label or start his own."

Boys' night out

Thousands of fans turned out to see two 'boy bands' poles apart. At Powerhouse, the biggest boy band in the world, Westlife, wowed an ecstatic capacity crowd at their first ever club gig in the Toon.

While at the City Hall, a bunch of wannabe Westlifes - six dads who once had aspirations to be pop stars - lived out their dream on the stage of arguably Newcastle's best-known venue. Haley's Comets, made up of six fathers from the Ponteland area, made the most of their hour and 20 minutes of fame as they thrashed out a succession of covers to raise money for various charities.

Show organiser David Haley booked the City Hall with high hopes of getting about a 1,000 music lovers to the show. In the end, after selling about 1,600 tickets, about 1,200 braved the wintry conditions to watch the thirtysomethings perform.

"Well beyond my wildest dreams," David, 37, said today. "Words can't describe how I feel. Who knows, maybe next year too - bigger and better."

David, with bandmates Alan Bohill, Peter Rea, Graeme Ash, Kev Simpson and Mark Harris, hope to have raised about £12,000 for charity from the event. Powerhouse, in Times Square, achieved its biggest coup to date when Westlife played a half hour set at the city's only gay club.

They didn't appear on stage until 12.45am today, but by 9.30pm last night queues were already forming outside the venue. Anticipation was running high before Kian, Mark, Shane, Nicky and Bryan took to the stage. This was Westlife up close and personal, and the Irish fivesome didn't disappoint.

Minutes before appearing, the lads, who have notched up 12 number ones since 1999, took time out to meet Chronicle reader James Craik, 28, a publican from Swalwell. He won the chance to meet them through a Chronicle competition, and said: "They're so down to earth. This has been great."

Lead vocalist Shane Filan even autographed James' shirt as he chilled out in the Zinc bar, next to the Powerhouse. Girls Aloud went down a storm at the club last month, but the screams were nothing compared to those witnessed when Westlife took to the stage.

First up was World Of Our Own, followed by the ballad Flying Without Wings, and the Record of the Year 2003, Mandy. The pace picked up for Uptown Girl, before the lads launched into their current single Obvious, which is battling for the number one spot tomorrow with Peter Andre's Mysterious Girl.

The gig ended with Hey, Whatever, with the 1,500 capacity audience singing along to every word. Westlife then spent some time in Zinc, with Bryan McFadden and Mark Feehily staying back for about an hour to meet a number of fans who queued and waited patiently to take part in the after-show party.

"It's cold outside, but the reception we've had is hot, hot, hot," said Bryan, as he sipped a beer. "Newcastle was our first ever concert and this is our way of giving something back to the city."

Powerhouse is fast gaining a reputation as one of the best clubs in the country. The only other club Westlife have played before is the famous G-A-Y venue in London. Now Powerhouse is hoping to host the likes of Sugababes and Jamelia, with more top-name acts to be announced.

Westlife monthly news archives