BACK		NEWS

31st July 03
Westlife will be trying to recreate the magic of sixties English films like Saturday night and Sunday Morning in London this week when they shoot a pop video.
The promo for new single, Hey Whatever, is to be filmed in black and white.
"All the clothes, props and cars came straight from the sixties", a source told us.
To prepare for the shoot the boyband have been watching an array of cult British films from the swinging decade. Car mad singer Shane Filan plans to leave for the Uk A day earlier, so he can test-drive the vintage motors booked for the shoot.
"Don't be too surprised if he brings one back to Sligo" our source said.
Meanwhile, his band mates are working on the brillcream look.
"Bryan fancies himself as a young Albert Finney. But the other guys say the hair gel he's using stinks!"

30th July 03
Westlife's Nicky Byrne and bride-to-be Georgina Ahern will stop their guests from phoning home at their French wedding as they will be asked to forget their mobile phones!
According to reports the Wedding of Nicky and Georgina will be a CIA security style operation with every angle covered to protect their hoard of VIP guests and their Hello! magazine photo deal...
Such are the lengths that they are going to protect their 750,000 euro photo deal with Hello! that the couple will be demanding that no guests bring picture messaging phones to the event.
The couple have also employed an eagle eyed security team to ensure no secret texters manage to slip out some early pictures of the event.
They will be also asking guests to sign an agreement stating that they will not take pictures.
The beautiful couple will tie the knot at an 11th century Chapel of St Peter and Paul just outside Paris on Saturday week.
They have also asked their long-term Westlife bouncer Paul Higgins to be on hand to vet guests as they turn up to the ceremony.

30th July 03
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern daughter, Georgina Ahern and Westlife’s Nicky Byrne have hit back at critics who stated their decision to marry abroad.
The couple have been stung by criticism that they are ‘unpatriotic’ by marrying in France next month.
A friend of the couple last night said that they were ‘puzzled’ by the negative comments.
The pal said: “They are upset to hear people say that they are turning their back on Ireland by marrying abroad. The fact is that countless people these days chose to get married in foreign locations. It’s their right.
“Nicky and Georgina both love Ireland, they live in Ireland, work from Ireland and often holiday in Ireland.
“But they had their heart set on France for very special romantic reasons.”
The couple will celebrate their wedding at the five-star Chateau d’Esclimont outside Paris on August 9.

26th July 03
Nicky and Georgina will marry in the fabulous estate of Chateau D'Esclimont near Paris on August 9th.
The stunning French palace which is surrounded by a moat and 150 acres of woods and parkland is to be the idyllic setting for the Irish wedding of the year.
The couple chose the stunning French castle after Georgina spent hours drawing up a shortlist of dream locations on the internet.
"We spent 6 hours looking online," Said the couple's Public relations consultant, Joanne Byrne.
"Then Georgina and her mother went out to look at a shortlist of possiblities. She fell for the castle straight away but she waited until Nicky had come to see it. He also agreed that it was perfect for them,"
The couple will erect a giant marquee in the chateau grounds as the banquet room can only hold up to 200 guests.
"They have 400 guests confirmed to attend the wedding. Its a huge number that really could not be accomadated in any one room in the chateau."
Nicky's Westlife bandmates and their ammediate family and friends will reside in the castle for the wedding.
A ring of steel is expected to surround the chateau when the couple marry as they have sold the rights to their wedding to a glossy magazine for an estimated 1 million euro.

24th July 03
Kian Egan and Jodi Albert have known each other for some years but pals say romance has blossomed in the last few weeks.
A friend said: "Kian and Jodi have been good friends for a long time, but they have got a lot closer since they bumped into each other at a celebrity Soccer Six tournament last month.
"He has been up in Manchester on tour with Westlife and has taken the chance to see as much of Jodi as possible.
"He has arranged to visit her on the Hollyoaks set in Chester while she has been to some of the band's gigs. They are desperate to play their romance down, so much so that they have been taking separate cars to arrive at the same place and booking separate rooms in the same hotel."
Although Kian was very busy playing five dates with Westlife at the Manchester Evening News Arena last week, he still managed to spend a lot of time with Jodi.
Sources on the Hollyoaks set say Kian is planning secret visits there and also booked Jodi into a room at his swanky hotel The Lowry.
Westlife bosses are keen that heart-throb Kian, as one of only two bachelors left in the band, doesn't tie himself down to one girl. In the past he has been linked with Sun kit-off girl JODIE MARSH and ATOMIC KITTEN's LIZ McCLARNON, who later went off with BLUE's LEE RYAN.
And he recently admitted the Liz-and-Lee love triangle thing had left him baffled.
Kian claimed his next love would be somebody not interested in his massive fame and fortune.
Kian explained: "If I were to go out with someone else, it would have to be someone who didn't care about this whole fame thing."

22nd July 03
Heart throbs Westlife wont be playing at Nicky Byrne's posh wedding to Georgina Ahern next month-So they can all "enjoy the big day"
PR girl Joanne Byrne-who's organising the wedding said "The Westlife lads are like brothers and they all just want to enjoy the day, Its special for all of them aswel as Nicky and Georgina.The lads will want to have a few drinks and relax-it would be to hard to try and keep the sober all day to play a few songs later on"
Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle will sing hymes at the church ceremony and Ronan Keating will perform at the reception.
The couple have signed a mega-bucks deal with Hello! Magazine for exclusive photos of the day.
But Joanne rubbished reports in a Sunday paper that the deal was worth 1million
She said "I don't know where they got the figure from,it was nearer to €500,000."
Joanne also denied reports the couple were getting hitched in France to avoid paying tax on the Cash.
She said "Nicky's already made his millions, The only reason they're getting hitched in France is because its always been their dream location for a wedding"
And she poured cold water on the stories that the wedding would cost a whopping €400,000. she said "Im in charge so I should Know, there's no way I would rent a marque for 100,000 as some paper claimed and the over all cost of the wedding is substantially less than €400,000.
However the Hello! Deal will save Bertie from forking out thousands of euros for his daughters bash!

10th July 03
Westlife star Nicky Byrne admits the band will never crack America ... because they are blacklisted by US radio stations.
In an amazing interview, a seething Nicky revealed it's not because radio bosses don't like their music, but because they don't like the Westlife image.
He explained: "We could give them some of our new stuff from our new album and radio won't play it. We've proved it.
"We sent over a CD of World Of Our Own with no name on it. They didn't know it was Westlife and every single radio station in the States - whether it be LA, New York or any of the smaller ones in the Mid-West or wherever - all came back and said that this is an absolutely huge hit.
"They said it was great for radio and people are gonna love it, especially as there's just a slight bit of rock guitar to it.
"But as soon as we revealed it was Westlife, the radio pluggers all went ... `whoa, not Westlife - no way, it's a boy band'. And we cannot break that down, no matter what song we come out with.
"If Bono wrote a song with us tomorrow and it was the biggest hit in the world, if Westlife's name is put to it, it won't be a hit in America because radio will not play us."
So why does Nicky reckon America has such a downer on him, Shane Filan, Bryan McFadden, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily?
He said: "The problem with America is that it's all radio and you've got to break into radio first.
"And currently radio doesn't want to play boy bands or pop music - I think Britney, Christina and *NSYNC were the last pop acts to break the States."

9th July 03
Westlife heart-throb Mark Feehily has turned his back on love - because he fears he could be duped by a gold-digger.
The Irish singer is refusing to date women, claiming they are only attracted to him because of his fame.
And he says he is only too happy to remain single for the sake of the chart- topping group. Speaking exclusively to 192, the singer admitted: "I'm not depressed about being single. It's not easy to trust girls.
"A relationship should be based on a mental and physical attraction and not on careers.
"Because we are in Westlife and because we are famous, lots of girls are attracted to us and want to have relationships or get us into bed. It's only my lifestyle, job and bank account which are very attractive to certain girls.
"I find it hard to believe that anyone can come into a relationship with me with an open mind because Westlife are so famous.
"I'm still a young person but I'm happy to sacrifice love to commit myself to the band."
He added: "I'm in no hurry to rush out and try to find a girl and get down on bended knee."
"You get married when you find the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.
"I don't feel pressure to get into serious relationships."
Mark has seen a huge turnaround in the way girls treat him since shooting to the top of the charts with the million-selling boy band - now in Scotland on the latest leg of their Unbreakable: Greatest Hits tour.
After being ignored at school, he enjoyed the attention of smitten groupies as Westlife shot to fame before turning his back on the sleaze.
He said: "Growing up, I was no heart-throb and I don't look upon myself in that way.
"I didn't have girls throwing themselves at me at school. When Westlife shot to fame overnight, girls were a novelty and any red- blooded male would react the way I did.
"They threw themselves at me and I thought it was excellent but, after a while, the novelty wore off.
"Now I want a relationship with someone who likes me as a person.
"In the past, I've been made out to be someone who likes one-night stands but that's not the way I am. For someone my age, I got my fair share of very attractive girls making advances - but I didn't have a girl every night.
"We all had fun at the start but then I felt empty inside.
"Now I envy the guys getting married.
"If I had the choice, I'd love for the girl of my dreams to walk into my life tomorrow. It's just not going to happen."

28th June 03
After being handed a belated birthday card by a young male fan, Westlife's Mark Feehily gave a special thank-you -- a kiss on the cheek.
Mark explains, "I liked the card he made for me, and you know, we kiss girls all the time, so I thought, why not?"
Onlookers may have been surprised, but for the 17-year-old fan from Belfast named Dillon, it surely was an unforgettable moment.
"We all cheered after Mark reached up and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek. You should've seen the poor lad blush, but it was all a bit of fun," said bandmate Nicky.
And for those who raise an eyebrow at the thought of Mark kissing a guy? "There's rumours about us all the time, so that's nothing new. The point is, we appreciate all our fans -- male and female, young and old."
Unfortunately, this reporter's own request for a kiss was declined. "We don't give 'em away for free, you know," Kian explained. Oh well, maybe next time, lads...

27th June 03
Westlife star Kian Egan has slammed glamour model Jodie Marsh for spreading reports of a romance between the pair - because he's dating a different Jodi.
The singer has been linked to British babe Marsh in recent months - but Egan claims the whole affair has been fabricated by Marsh to promote her own profile.
He rants, "I was very annoyed about stories of me with this Page Three girl. There was nothing in it. It's sad that she is trying to further her career that way."
Egan is particularly annoyed as he's just started dating long-term friend, Jodi Albert, who stars in British TV soap Hollyoaks. He says, "We've been good friends for years and now we've started dating. We know each other well and I know she's not interested in me because I'm in Westlife."
"And when something like this happens it's really nice. I've only been out with her three or four times officially on a date. It's too early to say we're in love, but who knows where it'll go."

19th June 03
With a new album in the pipeline, Westlife has warned fans to prepare themselves for a change in musical direction.
The Irish boyband have not made a studio album since World Of Our Own in 2001, and in the two years since they've come up with plenty of ideas about new things they would like to try in the studio.
Heart throb Nicky ByrnE, who is set to marry childhood sweetheart Georgina Ahern in the summer, says, "I don't think there's any point in making another album if we're not going to change a little."
And bandmate Mark Feehily adds, "At the end of the day it's pop music and pop is meant to change all the time. We're not getting bored yet, but if we did the same stuff for another album I think we would. Change is important, both for us and the fans. We're not going to become a rock band but it's going to be exciting."
Promising the fans a great new album - hopefully in time for Christmas - Nicky adds, "The music is only going to get better. We haven't made an album in almost two years now, so we haven't been experimenting in the studio for ages and we're really hungry for it. We want to set that fire ablaze again."

8th June 03
It will be the party of all parties, the opportunity to honour the achievements of 7,000 athletes from 160 countries, an opportunity for the 30,000 volunteers and the people of Ireland to reflect and celebrate the staging of the largest sporting event in the world this year.
The Closing Ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games will take place in Croke Park on Sunday, 29th June and the line up will feature performances by Westlife, Blue and Liberty X with special guests.
Apart from the entertainment, the 65,000 audience will witness the taking down of the Special Olympics Flag and its presentation to the Games Organising Committee of the 2005 Special Olympics Winter Games which will take place in Nagano, Japan. The climax and the conclusion of the Closing Ceremony will be the extinguishing of the Special Olympics Flame to herald the end of the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games.

8th June 03
While Mickey Harte may still be top of the Irish charts, it is the runner-up to the affable Donegal man who will be making waves at the end of this month.
Simon Casey is just one of the acts confirmed for Westlife's two outdoor spectaculars in Lansdowne Road in Dublin on June 27 and 28.
Unsurprisingly, when the band announced details of their Lansdowne Road concert, the demand for tickets was sky high and they sold-out in a matter of hours.
This caused Westlife to announce an extra date (Saturday, June 28) and last week they went further, releasing extra tickets for both events.
In doing so the band join U2 and Robbie Williams as the only artists to ever perform two consecutive concerts at Lansdowne Road.
"We've never done a stadium concert on this scale before. It is going to be our most spectacular show ever," said Kian Egan.
Meanwhile the Sligo Weekender and sligoweekender.ie have been flooded with requests for information on Westlife's homecoming concert in July.
Once details of the concert, tickets, etc. are made available to us, they'll be put on both the website and in the newspaper. So keep reading

1st June 03
Latest news of Nicky & Georgina Ahern's wedding states that Ronan Keating & Nadine Coyle (Girls Aloud) will be singing at the couple's wedding in South France.

1st June 03
Westlife surprised staff and customers when they descended on the Old School House at Weeford, near Lichfield, on Friday at 8.15pm.
They had booked a table at a Staffordshire restaurant anonymously via the Belfry hotel, where they were staying during their five-date tour at Birmingham NEC, which finished yesterday.
The cheeky chappies waltzed in with their parents and relatives in tow. Restaurant manager Chris, who saw the boys live at the NEC last Tuesday, was stunned when he found out he had some stellar celebrities under his roof.
He said: "The table was booked anonymously as a referral from the Belfry. We had no idea it was Westlife but we had a private room laid up for them anyway.
"We didn't know anything until a little girl came running in saying 'have you got a piece of paper, Westlife are here and I want their autographs!'"
Only four of Westlife - Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky Byrne - were present. Bryan was staying with his wife Kerry, the former Atomic Kitten who recently gave birth to their second child.

31st May 03
It will be the party of all parties, the opportunity to honour the achievements of 7,000 athletes from 160 countries, an opportunity for the 30,000 volunteers and the people of Ireland to reflect and celebrate the staging of the largest sporting event in the world this year.
The Closing Ceremony of the 2003 Special Olympics World Games will take place in Croke Park on Sunday, 29th June and the line up will feature performances by Westlife, Blue and Liberty X with special guests.
Apart from the entertainment, the 65,000 audience will witness the taking down of the Special Olympics Flag and its presentation to the Games Organising Committee of the 2005 Special Olympics Winter Games which will take place in Nagano, Japan. The climax and the conclusion of the Closing Ceremony will be the extinguishing of the Special Olympics Flame to herald the end of the 11th Special Olympics World Summer Games.

31st May 03
Westlife have decided to follow in the footsteps of boy band rivals Blue.
After Blue's collaboration with Sir Elton John, their Irish counterparts are to team up with another wrinkly rocker - Rod Stewart.
Rod is believed to have become friends with the boys some time ago through their mutual love of football.
But they have only recently decided to go into the studio together.
Once the boys have finished their current tour, they will get together with Rod for a cover of an as-yet-unnamed classic track.
The single should be released just in time for the big race to be Christmas number one.

31st May 03
Council turn promoters for Westlife home gig Sligo County Council are the promoters for Westlife's homecoming gig in July. This has allowed the band to press ahead with their lifetime dream of playing at home.
The holding of an event, such as this, requires 16 weeks notice. But the council's decision allows the band to pursue with the event, despite having announced the date only last week.
Tickets have not yet gone on sale for the concert which will be staged on Friday or Saturday July 25 or 26 in Markievicz Park.
The venue can hold 15,000 people.
Fans will be relieved to hear that they will be given ample time to purchase tickets, although judging by interest they could sell out in record time.
Patricia Egan, Kian's mum, spoke of the band's delight at the Sligo concert finally going ahead. She said: "They are all thrilled about it. They have tried for so long to get the gig. This time it was the band themselves who pushed for it.
"The disappointment of last year's concert not going ahead is firmly put behind them now. They are really looking forward to their Sligo homecoming."
The band will play the first of their five concerts in Birmingham tonight. Patricia was packing her bags as she spoke to the Weekender yesterday.
"We are taking a couple of days off to go and see Kian. So I am prepared for all the screaming and excitement. We will be back on Saturday.
"I don't want to give much away but the concert is very different to last year's tour. It has a lot of surprises for fans.
"The Sligo concert will be exactly the same and fans can expect nothing less from the band.
"Their new tour manager knows what he's doing and seems to have gotten this together for them this time."

29th May 03
It was enough to make Westlife fans cry into their milkshakes.
The band had just released Unbreakable, an album of its greatest hits. It was, of course, an instant success but also led to speculation that the country's biggest boy band was finally calling it a day.
"Not so at all," insists band member Nicky Byrne who took time out from his string of dates at the NEC to chat.
Nicky, 25, says: "We knew when we brought out an album of all our best tracks that fans would think it was curtains for Westlife but we can categorically state that is not the case.
"We already have plans for another new album and our tour features new material as well as all the old favourites our fans know and love."
And the blonde, baby-faced, David Beckham look-a-like insists the friendship with his fellow Westlife members, Bryan, Mark, Shane and Kian is as strong as ever.
He says: "We all have our differences but we get along. We have all grown up together within the band and there is no way we would consider going our separate ways at the moment."
Nicky could have followed a very different career path. He used to be on the books at Leeds United and played in their youth side as a goalkeeper.
He says: "I am still big into football but so pleased I pursued a career in music instead. I was probably a bit small to be a goalkeeper at the highest level.
"Like one or two of the other boys in the band I am a big Man United fan and love to get up to Old Trafford when I can. I recently met up with Roy Keane in Dublin and it was great to swap stories about life back home in Ireland and catch up on all the team gossip."

26th May 03
Ireland's first couple Nicky Byrne and Georgina Ahern will wed this coming summer in France and already a star studded guestlist is being drawn up.
He is the golden boy of Westlife and she is the daughter of the Irish Taoiseach Bertie Ahern - their big day is drawing near this coming August.
Nicky will be the second Westlifer to marry after his bandmate Bryan married Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona... It also looks like Shane Filan will be next to wed his sweetheart Gillian Walsh soon.
So that just leaves Kian and Mark.
Guests likely to be at the forthcoming wedding include the Westlife lads, their manager Louis Walsh, the bride's parents Bertie and Miriam Ahern, Ronan Keating and wife Yvonne, Irish footballers Robbie Keane, Damien Duff, Ian Harte, and Shay Given.
Plus a whole load of other celeb pals including their mates from boyband Blue.

22nd May 03
It's been a busy year for the Filan's as not only has Shane got engaged but two of his siblings got engaged also, one in September and one in October. They will marry in 2004. It's going to be a hectic time in the months ahead."
Shane's older brother Liam wed earlier this year. Shane and his wife- to-be, Gillian, were there. Gillian said: We went to Shane's brother Liam's wedding this year and it was lovely. We had a great day."
Shane and Gillian have known each other for several years
One of the first productions the couple starred in was Grease when it was staged in Summerhill College five years ago.
Grease saw three members of the cast come together and form Westlife. But it also started one of the biggest love stories in pop. Shane played Kenickie and Gillian played Frenchie in what became a hit, in more ways than one.

22nd May 03
Pop sensation Westlife can do pretty much anything money allows on their day off.
But yesterday they chose to play golf at Ruddington Grange in the pouring rain. Shane, Bryan, Nicky and Kian played 18 holes under the watchful eye of a burly minder.
But when a Post reporter asked them why they were outside in such weather Kian amicably shrugged his shoulders and said: "Why not?"
Staff at the Ruddington golf course were pretty impressed with the pop stars.
Steve Johns, 25, said: "They were really nice lads. They shook my hand and promised to get me tickets for the gig when I was hoping for an autograph at most."

21st May 03
According to reports Irish boyband Westlife intend to stage a massive homecoming concert in Sligo infront of 25,000 lucky fans.
Not since the early days of IOU have Westlife played a gig in 3 of the band's hometown of Sligo. Band members Shane, Kian, and Mark hail from the westcoast town and promise that the Sligo gig will be the highpoint of their career.
Kian told the Daily Mirror: "This is the ultimate concert for us - to perform infront of all our home fans is going to be amazing. We are going all over the world for this tour but to come home to Sligo is going to be the high point."
The five lads will play the GAA stadium Markiewicz Park on either the 28th or 29th of July after getting approval from the town's councillors.
Westlife have already confirmed that special guests Busted and Girls Aloud, together with Simon Casey, Six and Mankind will support them on their Dublin Lansdowne Road gigs on the 27th and 28th of June.
No support acts have been announced yet for the Sligo gig.

20th May 03
So Solid and Mis-teeq were crowned kings and queens of the celebrity footy world yesterday at the annual Soccer Six event.
The third and final day of this year's Soccer Six roadshow took place at West Ham's Upton Park stadium on Sunday as pop's finest descended to show off their silky skills in front of a packed stand of fans.
Westlife - featuring band members Kian, Nicky and Bryan - were looking to retain the trophy they won last year at Chelsea but were well and truly beaten 5-1 in the final by the outstanding team of the day, So Solid.
The match was given extra spice by the history of tension between the bands after their fracas at the Brits last year.
Going into the match, Nicky had described the possibility of the encounter as "interesting, to say the least" while Harvey told the pitch-side reporter for the official site: "We're gonna win this, no contest".
In the end, So Solid - featuring MC Neutrino in goal plus Megaman and Harvey - did their talking on the pitch with Harvey emerging as arguably the tournament's star player and the fastest man in pop!
Elsewhere, Fame Academy star David Sneddon, Big Brovaz and boyband 3rd Edge rubbed shoulders with Soccer Six veterans Rod Stewart and Fat Les plus the host of ex-pros including Peter Beardsley and Ian Rush.
The three events - in Newcastle, Liverpool and London - were sponsored by Broadband from BT.
To see all the action from the day and video interviews with the star names, check out the official site at www.soccer-six.com

20th May 03
Westlife's Shane Filan was blessed amongst women at the Catwalks night for ladies last Wednesday.
The singer was accompanied by his fiancée Gillian Walsh, his mum Mae and his sister Mairead and her boyfriend.
The family had booked their own table for the event and were accompanied by members of staff from their Morgan store.
Shane jetted in from Hamburg, Germany, after a performance at the Color Line Arena as part of the band's Greatest Hits Tour. The band were on a week's break.
The family were there to enjoy a three-course meal followed by a fashion show in which clothes from Morgan were modelled.
Shane and Mairead own a Morgan shop on Castle Street, the home of the Carlton Cafe where the pair grew up.
Celebrity presenter Louise Loughman pointed out the singer to the crowd who dressed down for the occasion, obviously enjoying a quiet night out with his fiancée and family.
"You needn't worry Shane, we won't be asking you to sing tonight," said Louise.
After the symphony of desserts were devoured by the crowd of 300 in the Sligo Park Hotel, the fashion show kicked off with collections from Michel Ambers and Kate Cooper.
Next up was fashion house Morgan, which showcased micro minis with matching tops as part of their Spring/Summer collection.
Shane signed autographs for fans both young and not so young throughout the night, while enjoying the aftershow party.

8th May 03
Just when we thought the war of words between Irish bands Ash and Westlife was long forgotten it seems the feud is still very much on Bryan McFadden's mind...
It's been nearly two years since rock band Ash burned 300 copies of Westlife's CDs and threatened to beat the lads up but our Bryan still hasn't forgotten it.
According to reports in the Daily Mirror Bryan is still up for a scrap with Northern band.
He said: "People are always talking about fighting stupid rock bands like Ash. But we'd have no problem knocking the b******s out of them. If it came to a head to head we would knock them out."
Who do you think would win a fisty-cuff between Westlife and Ash? Discuss it in ShowBiz Ireland's new Westlife Forum...

7th May 03
A new fundraising day calling on people to wear the wrong trousers for charity has been launched - with the backing of a host of celebrities.
Wallace and Gromit's Wrong Trouser Day will take place every year on the first Friday of July.
Recorded messages from a host of celebrities including Jennifer Lopez, Kevin Spacey, Julianne Moore and Natalie Imbruglia called on volunteers to take part in the event.
It is aimed at raising money for children's hospitals and hospices throughout the UK.
The fund-raising concept inspired by the award-winning film The Wrong Trousers, made by Bristol-based Aardman Animations, award winning asks volunteers to pay a £1 donation to wear the wrong trousers for the day.
The cast of Coronation Street, as well as Frank Skinner and David Baddiel and Westlife have taken part in photo shoots wearing "the wrong trousers".
Wrong Trousers Day was set up by the charity Wallace and Gromit's Children's Foundation after the concept had success in the south west of England.
For the past six years in the region, Wrong Trousers Day has been part of Wallace and Gromit's Grand Appeal, which has helped to raise £12 million to rebuild the Royal Hospital for Children in Bristol.
This year it is hoped the nation-wide day on July 4 will raise money for local hospitals throughout the UK.

5th May 03
Pop heart-throbs Westlife are set to jet out for Celtic's UEFA Cup Final showdown in Spain.
The boyband are among an all-star cast desperate to see the Bhoys take on Porto in the final.
And they've turned to Scots hitmaker John McLaughlin to get them to the game.
Season-ticket holder John - who wrote their No1 Queen of My Heart - is a lifelong Hoops fan and has booked a private jet to fly his celebrity pals to the match in Seville, Spain.
The Glaswegian said: "It's not every year that Celtic get to a European final and there's no way I'm going to miss this.
"My phone has been ringing red hot since we won the semi-final with friends looking for tickets.
"So I thought we had to do it in style by hiring a jet."
Pogues frontman Shane McGowan and Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen are unlikely passengers on a flight filled with boyband members.
Irishman Tony Lundon, from Liberty X, Busted's Mattie Jay, Duncan James, from Blue, and Celebrity Big Brother winner Mark Owen will be aboard. Steven Gerrard - who played for Liverpool when they lost to Celtic in the quarter- finals - also wants a seat. Celtic are his second team.
John, 38, still needs 10 tickets for the clash in Seville. He said: "I'm going to have to call in every favour I've ever been owed but I should be able to wangle tickets somewhere.
"I might end up having to sell the furniture, but it will be worth it.
30th April 03
Westlife's Mark Feehily has swapped a tennis racket for a golf club during the band's Greatest Hits tour.
Mark, a keen tennis player, has taken to the golf course with his band mates, as a way of relaxing through their world-wind tour.
A source close to the band said: "They have made a deal that every hotel they stay in must have a golf course or one nearby. They play a game of golf everyday and are running a league table.
"Mark isn't a keen golfer but this is a bit of craic and a way to wind down. At present Bryan is top of the league table."
Both Shane and Kian are avid golfers.
Mark, along with Shane and Kian took two days off last week to make a whistle stop visit home.
They flew home after their gig in the Nuremberg Arena in Germany last Tuesday for a few days rest.
Mark was seen driving around Sligo last week in his jeep.
While Shane and Gillian Walsh are busy preparing for their wedding, taking place on Sunday December 28.
A source close to the band said: "The lads like to get home whenever they can. But their visits are nearly always very short, especially when they are on tour.
Shane revealed this week that he had booked Ashford Castle for the wedding before he got down on one knee to pop the question to Gillian from Maugheraboy. The couple were on holiday in Dubai and Shane proposed on Christmas Day. Mark is the groomsman for the wedding.
Only recently Shane bought an apartment in London, close to Kian, who bought one in Chelsea just before Christmas last year.
The lads flew back to Germany last Thursday for their gig in Leipzig the following Friday, April 25.
Sunday, they are in Zurich, Switzerland followed by gigs in Cologne, Germany and Brussels, Belgium.
After the tour, the band are planning a duet with rock legend Rod Stewart. This is due to take place sometime in August.
Also catch the band on BBC 1 on Monday night next, May 5. Here you will see how the band get on when they try their hand at country and western singing.

24th April 03
They are already the reigning kings of pop, but Westlife are keen to be the king of country too and are putting their reputation on the line to do it.
Four of the five bandmembers travelled to Nashville, Tennessee earlier this year to meet the biggest stars in country music for a new BBC show to be screened on Monday, May 5.
Westlife met the legendary Kenny Rogers, the charismatic Dolly Parton and the supremely talented Lee Ann Womack in the country capital of the US.
The show, "Can Westlife Cut It?", is the first in a series of programmes which bring famous performers from one genre and see how they get on in another genre.
And, while Westlife have had over ten No. 1 hits in the pop music charts, they were working with people whose reputation and success extends back over the last three decades.
The band travelled to Nashville and were given plenty of advice from the top country stars before teaming up with two top Nashville producers to record a cover of the Kenny Rogers classic "Daytime Friends".
That wasn't all though. The band then had to learn off a country repertoire to perform live at the famous Tennessee dance hall The Wildhorse Saloon.
And while few in Nashville knew who Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily or Nicky Byrne were, their names "Westlife" attracted plenty of interest, even if tickets were a paltry $6 for their saloon show.
Tough as the Nashville challenge was though, the most strenuous part, some line-dancing, is nothing compared to the bruised shins they're likely to suffer over the next few months.
As reigning Celebrity Soccer Six Cup-holders, Westlife have been targeted by some of the meanest celebrity football talents in showbusiness.
And comic duo Ant and Dec have pulled no punches in saying they want to make sure Westlife don't win the cup for the second year running. The Geordie presenters said they have a few tricks up their sleeve, and a few special guest surprises to throw Westlife off their game. The Soccer Six tournament will take place in football stadiums all over England over the coming weeks.

22nd April 03
Westlife shocked their fans by unveiling an outrageous new look when they kicked off their long-awaited Unbreakable Greatest Hits Tour in Cardiff, Wales, last week.
The band has been working closely with top stylist, William Baker, the man responsible for Kylie's stunning Fever tour costumes.
Together, they've created a range of different themes to run through each Westlife concert and Bryan, Shane, Kian, Nicky and Mark say they love their new look!
To open the show, the lads burst onto the futuristic stage set wearing their sauciest look ever - daring black Mission Impossible- style sci-fi gear with leather accessories. Cheeky Nicky even strapped on rubber elbow pads to complete his look. And leather strips hung from Kian's costume and Mark wore a studded visor! Hmm.
Other themes included a colourful comic book-style backdrop, a dressed-down look for an acoustic section and a look inspired by cool Las Vegas gangster film Ocean's Eleven.
"The lads favourite costumes are the Mission Impossible combat gear they wear to open the show." a backstage insider told Sneak. "They think they're modern and cool."
And the fans loved it! Westlife you still rock - even looking like that!

22nd April 03
Usually when a fan has a crush on a pop star they buy posters, concert tickets, or even the official doll to show their appreciation. But one fanatic has taken their obsession way too far.
A middle-aged millionaire, known only as "Sir Jack" has offered £50 million, five luxury cars and two mansions in return for Kian Egan's hand in marriage.
Jack has made other ludicrous offers to the Westlife star in the past (including offering him £1 million to bare all in a porn mag) but hopes his latest proposal will win Kian over.
Somehow we're not convinced - and neither was Kian when we asked him. "I'm not going to accept his offer," Kian told Heat. "Besides, I'm well on my way to earning that much myself anyway!"
Sadly Jack hasn't given up just yet; he's now offering Kian £5 million to be his live-in "friend"!

20th April 03
Westlife's Nicky Byrne and his fiancée Georgina Ahern will marry in a fairytale wedding in France this summer.
Nicky and the Taoiseach's daughter Georgina have been secretly making plans to marry in the south of France in August.
Invitations to friends and family will be sent out in the next ten days to enable guests to book their flights to the sun.
But father-of-the-bride Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will not be attending the wedding with his long-time partner Celia Larkin "As far as I'm aware he will be coming on his own," confirmed a spokesperson for the couple.
Nicky and Georgina have not yet decided on the venue for their dream wedding, according to the spokesperson, but are considering properties along the Cote D'Azur.
"Georgina and her mother, Miriam, have been out there looking at various possibilities and she and Nicky have also looked over some hotels and properties but they haven't yet made a final decision," she said.
Nicky and Georgina- who announced their engagement at Christmas- originally planned to have their wedding in Ireland. "They looked at a couple of properties they liked including Luttrellstown Castle, Powerscourt and Kilshane House in Tipperary," she said.
"But they decided they didn't want to wait till next year to get married.
"It's impossible to get even the church that you want in Ireland within a year. They've been together a long time and don't need an extended engagement to get to know each other.
"They decided `let's do it now'. That's when they decided to go ahead and get married in France" The couple first fell in love with France after accompanying Georgina's dad Bertie Ahern to the World Cup in 1998.
"They've been back so many times since and they love the country," said the spokesperson.
"France is also a fairly ideal location for them because it possibly the only country in Europe in which Westlife don't have a massive profile.
"They are more likely to have the privacy they want there" "Georgina's sister, Cecilia will be her chief bridesmaid and Nicky's younger brother Adam will be in the grooms party.
"Details like this still have to be ironed out so I don't know who Nicky's best mna is going to be yet," said the spokesperson.
"I know all of the members of Westlife will be invited but I don't think any of them will be part of the grooms party"
Although the wedding will be held in the South of France, the spokesperson said the affair will still be a big Irish wedding.
"It's going to be a big family and friends affair with no politicians or a list of celebrities," she said "Nicky is very friendly with some of the lads from the Irish soccer team who will be invited and of course, all of Westlife will be there but that will be it.
"It's a big Irish wedding that will taking place in a country that they love" Georgina, who is a business graduate, is talking to several designers about her wedding dress- and is adamant that it will be made by an Irish designer.
Nicky and Georgina celebrated their eight anniversary as a couple on October 8th.

18th April 03
Just before Westlife jetted off to their next gig in Germany ShowBiz Ireland caught up with the Irish fivesome on the UK leg of their tour in London's Docklands Arena.
They may be the oldest kids on the block but in relative terms Westlife are still a group of young guys and boy can they put on a show.
ShowBiz Ireland went along to the second night of their sold-out London Shows to see if the lads still had pulling power and are we sorry we ever doubted them
Shane, Nicky, Kian, Bryan and Mark are still well up for it even though many now consider them to veterans of pop, and by the performance they gave to thousands of screaming fans they are anything but splitting up.
Westlife head off now to Germany to start the mainland Europe leg of their tour but they will be back in the UK and Ireland from mid-May

17th April 03
The Capital FM 2003 Awards were held this afternoon (in association with the Help A London Child charity), and thanks to your voting, Westlife came away with two awards:

Favourite International Group
(beating U2, Nickelback and Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Favourite Music Website
(beating Blue, Will Young and Coldplay official sites)

So, thanks again for voting, and in particular we are of course delighted with the website award!

15th April 03
Westlife stage costs seven million euro

The stage for Westlife's Greatest Hits tour, which began last Sunday costs seven million euro.
The `Unbreakable Greatest Hits' tour kicked off in the Cardiff International Arena where the band played for three nights, to a sell- out crowd.
The band's hectic tour involves travelling the length and breadth of Europe to do 62 concerts in just over three months.
Next stop is the London Arena on Thursday night, April 17.
Our band source said: "The band have put a lot of effort into their performance with hectic rehearsals right up to last Sunday night.
"First night nerves are now over and the boys are ready to make their mark with their biggest tour yet.
"The stage runs the whole length of each venue so fans get to see the boys as much as possible."
Popband Six who were formed from RTE programme Popstars are the support act for the band.
Other cities the band will perform in during their whistle stop tour include Stuttgart, Brussels, Frankfurt and Nottingham.

14th April 03
Westlife are black on tour

WESTLIFE are back — or should I say black — for a sell-out world tour.
The lads all donned dark military-style boiler suits and headbands for last night's opening gig in Cardiff.
All except MARK FEEHILY who was dressed all in leather, including a camp cap, just like one of the VILLAGE PEOPLE.
P/s:One of the pic taken from this article is in da group pic.I'll add the rest in the group album!

10th April 03
It's got 320 legs, 160 famous faces - it's Celebrity Soccer Six and this year's tournament will return to its East End roots, this time at Upton Park, West Ham United on Sunday, May 18th 2003.
Over 160 celebrities will take part at the event, consisting of 12 mens and 4 girls teams.
Westlife stole the crown from Ant and Dec in the boys' trophy last year and have already confirmed that they will be back to defend their crown. Other celebrities confirmed for West Ham include Rod Stewart, Mis-Teeq, Liberty X, Big Brovaz, Turin Brakes, Ralf Little, Harvey and footballing legends Ian Rush, Peter Beardsley, Matt Le Tissier, Mickey Thomas and many more still to be announced...
Proceeds from the tickets will go to The Princes Trust charity - if you would like to attend, they're available on 0115 912 9129. Check www.cup.uk.com or www.soccer-six.com for more details and latest confirmed celebrities.

N.B:They dont accept electron cards

7th April 03
They may have won the hearts of the ladies all over Europe, but it looks like Westlife have given up on trying to make a go of it in America.
Or so says head crooner Shane Filan. In an interview with Metro the swoonsome fella revealed that the band have admitted defeat in trying to crack the US market after several attempts.
"The [US] recording industry is without a doubt the hardest market to break. Personally I don't think we'll ever do it as we won't try to do it again," reckons Shane, "It takes too much time. We're happy with Europe so why bother?"

7th April 03
Westlife's unstoppable, Unbreakable Greatest Hits tour kicks off in Cardiff at the CIA on 13th April, 2003. The Unbreakable Greatest Hits Tour is all fired up and ready to roll with 62 fantastic live shows visiting 11 different countries over the next 3 months of the European leg alone.
Westlife's live shows are always truly incredible and the Unbreakable Greatest Hits tour is no exception.This year Westlife have taken the live experience to a new level with an earth buckling futuristic sci-fi stage, spectacular pyrotechnics and lighting effects and of course hit after massive hit, including the latest smash Tonight and all eleven UK number singles, including Unbreakable, World Of Our Own, Flying Without Wings and Fool Again.
The Unbreakable: Greatest Hits show will have more than a few surprises up its sleeve so watch out for Andy Warhol inspired comic book and pop art projections, Ocean's Eleven style cool, direct from Las Vegas, Mission Impossible inspired Sci-fi stunts and Westlife getting raw and Unplugged.
The Unbreakable: Greatest Hits tour is the bands biggest production to date with a staggering £4.5 million stage design. The show is being produced by none other than Will Baker and Alan Macdonald, Kylie's creative directors who were responsible for Kylie's breathtaking Fever tour.

3rd April 03
Westlife have given the thumbs-up to The Sun's Give A Quid For An Iraqi Kid campaign.
They broke off from their busy schedule to say: "We back The Sun and urge readers to give all they can for the children of Iraq".

2nd April 03
Nicky Byrne looks set to sign a lucritive six figure sum deal with top leading celebrity magazine OK!
A friend of the band said: "Yes Nicky is in talks at the moment and he looks set to sign the deal soon."
He looks set to talk frankly in an indepth interview about ups and downs in his private life, wiping the slate clean and introducing us to two very special people in his life.
When asked who these two special people were the friend simply said: "That's what the whole deal is about. Nicky wants to wipe the slate clean, you'll have to wait for the deal to be finalised to find out."

1st April 03
Kian Egan celebrated into the early hours of Saturday night after the band reached number one with latest single Tonight. The single which was released early last week, went straight into number one in Ireland, but only reached number three in England. A source close to the band said: "The band were delighted with the Irish number one, but were a bit disappointed with number three in England."
Kian, who recently bought an apartment in London, began his Saturday night in the city's West End before ending up in Click, a popular celebrity nightclub.
Kian spoke to the Weekender, when he was last home. "Moving into my apartment was great. It gives me more comfort and beats staying in hotels all the time. I can make the place my own."
Singer/songwriter Bryan McFadden spoke on behalf of the group about reaching number one in Ireland.
He said: "Reaching number one is still a major thrill for us and especially when we do it in our own country."
But when asked about who he'd like to see in next week's top spot, he sided with You're A Star runner-up Simon Casey. Simon releases his single A Better Plan, written by Bryan, this week.
"I would love to see Simon reach number one. It would mean a lot to me, as it would be my first number one as a songwriter.
"I think we've had enough number ones and I'd like to see a newcomer get the chance to be at the top.

1st April 03
Westlife topped the Irish singles chart again this weekend as new release 'Tonight' went straight to Number One. However they only managed to make it to number three in the UK charts.

1st April 03
Westlife have received three nominations for the Capital FM Awards.
The event, in aid of Help A London Child, takes place at London's Royal Lancaster Hotel on April 16.

Favourite International Group
Favourite Concert
Favourite music website
Favourite International Single (World of our own)

Go to the Captial FM website if you want to see the complete list of nominations and awards.

2nd March 03
Westlife star Kian Egan is "scared" and "afraid" after becoming the latest subject of glamour model Jordan's romantic obsessions.
The Irish singer has been bombarded with provocative phone text messages from the model, who mistakenly heard that Egan had a crush on her - and is at a loss as to how he can shake off the silicone- enhanced star's affections.
A friend says, "Kian was getting so many texts from Jordan that he would have to turn off his phone as no one could get hold of him. Every time he turned it back on up would pop another message from Jordan. At first he thought they were a joke but then they started getting more and more serious and he got completely hacked off by the whole thing."
"He knows what a maneater she is and she scares him. He thought ignoring her was the answer but it only seemed to make her more determined."

1st March 03
Westlife's new single Tonight will now be coming out on March 24th

26th February 03
HERE is the world’s biggest boy-band swapping it all to become unknown singing cowboys.
Westlife’s Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne donned Stetsons, leather boots and checked shirts after jetting out to the country and western mecca of Nashville, Tennessee, for a BBC1 telly special.
In the show, Swapping Notes, the Irish lads had just a day to learn to sing C&W before they had to convince an audience at Nashville’s famous Wild Horse Saloon that they were a genuine country act.
But they did have one of the best teachers available, getting tips from legend Kenny Rogers, 64.
They learned some of his classic hits — and even tried their hand at line dancing before having to take to the stage in front of a crowd who had no idea who the lads were.
We won’t spoil it by telling you how they got on but Shane, 23, said: “Performing with Kenny Rogers was a dream come true. Thankfully, he was very patient with us but we picked things up quickly anyway.”
Kian, 22, added: “When it was suggested we become country and western singers for the day I thought it was a joke. We’re known for our white suits and performing sitting on stools, not cowboy hats and checked shirts.
“But Nashville was amazing. There is so much history and so many famous names have played there.”
Nicky, 24, admitted: “The hardest thing was learning the line dance steps, it wasn’t exactly what we are used to.”
And Mark, 22, said: “Performing at the Wild Horse Saloon was amazing, I reckon it was one of the most memorable experiences of my career so far.”
The band’s Bryan McFadden, 22, missed last month’s trip as wife Kerry was giving birth to Lily Sue, a sister for 17-month-old Molly.

Swapping Notes will be on BBC1 in April. Westlife’s new single, Tonight, is out on March 17.

26th February 03
“We don’t care what goes into the newspapers and what’s said about us. We know what’s going on with us and that’s the most important thing.”
That was the emphatic message from Westlife’s Kian Egan who has this week strongly denied that the band are splitting up.
Huge controversy has surrounded the band this week, as national newspapers reported that the band was on the verge of splitting up, due to the departure of tour manager Anto Byrne.
A local source close to the band said this week: “I am really shocked at the news. Anto did everything for them. He looked after security and everything they needed when they went on tour.”
But despite Anto’s departure, the band said they are stronger than ever. Singer Shane Filan said: “We are working hard to promote our new single Tonight which is out on St Patrick’s Day. We are also preparing for our world tour which kicks off in Cardiff on April 13. This summer, we will be recording a new album.”
The limelight focused primarily on these two Sligo members, and rumours of a huge rift between the two over the Anto affair were rife. These have been strongly denied.
Kian said: “We are all really good friends and know each other a long time. “The energy between the five of us is still there. We know we have to make a big impact with the next album. Fans needn’t be worried, as we are not splitting up. Everyone is happy in the band.
“This is Westlife and we are not going to go anywhere yet.
“People don’t really know what’s going on.
“It came to a stage in our career when we’ve had the greatest hits album out, and people are saying Westlife are going to go.
“But we are very focused and always open with each other. I think we can go on for another three or four years, as long as we keep our heads.”

25th February 03
Westlife star Kian Egan hit back last night over claims he was behind the sacking of their tour manager and he insisted: "I'm not the bad guy"
He spoke passionately for the first time about the moment they decided to split from Anto, who had lived and toured with them for three years.
And Kian, 22, said all the band members agreed it was right for him to go - not just him. He added "we had a meeting on Tuesday morning and Anto was there everyone was involved in the conversation and even Anto agreed that it was time to move on."
"It was quite emotional as Anto has been with us for such a long time but we made the right decision. Most bands change tour manager four times a year. I can't believe the chaos this has caused in the press"
"Anto got us out of bed in the morning he made sure we were at things on time but he's not our manager, Louis Walsh is. We can go on without him and its not a massive upheaval for us it was time for someone new someone fresh with different ideas. That's completely normal in the pop world."
"We have looked at a few possible candidates for the job and are doing interviews"
Insiders claimed that Kian was determined to get rid of the Dubliner Anto after a two month feud and "power struggle" within the band.
But Kian has refused the reports and added: "we all make important business decisions in Westlife but I wasnt the bad guy trying to plot things behind everyone's back I couldn't have made that decision without the rest of the lads permission - we are a democracy."
"We even started recording the new album out later in the year so there's no chance of us splitting up yet"
Kian said there was no grudge against Anto and hoped to talk to him again in the future. He added: "if I bump into him I will be the first to have a chat and shake his hand I don't have anything to be ashamed of and the boys are all happy with the direction the band is going in. Sometimes I get the tough guy tag because I work hard and never settle for second best "
"But I dont think that's a bad quality. I always put 100 percent into the band and if things can be done better then I think we shoould go the extra mile"
"That doesn't make me a bad person, it makes me committed to Westlife."

21st February 03
Westlife fans will be pleased to hear that the band are categorically not splitting up.
Westlife are currently working hard promoting their new single Tonight which is released on St Patrick's day (17th March, 2003) and are preparing for their Unbreakable world-tour which kicks off in Cardiff on 13th April.
Shane said: "Westlife are definitely not splitting up, we're looking forward to starting rehearsals for the tour and we will be recording a brand new album this summer, so everything is fantastic".

21st February 03
They've lasted longer than anyone thought possible but we can reveal that Westlife are on the verge of splitting.
The crisis - which was serious enough to keep the band away from last night's Brits - came following the sacking of tour manager Anto Byrne.
Shane Filan told bandmembers Kian Egan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily that if Anto weren't reinstated he'd quit.
But insiders say 22-year-old Kian - who masterminded the sacking - is refusing to budge, despite pleas from Shane and Bryan.
"Shane's not a happy man," our source insists. "He's told the rest of the lads that he's totally fed up.
"There were already simmering tensions in the band but when Anto was forced out, it was the last straw for Shane. He made his feelings clear at a showdown.
"And although they won't admit it in public, Shane has said that they've crossed the line and it's time to call it a day.
"There is a lot of animosity within the group now and morale is at an all-time low.
"When Shane walks out, they've lost their lead singer. It's like Boyzone without Ronan Keating - it just won't work."
"Everyone behind the scenes is wroking flat out to heal the rift."
Shane, who was allegedly offered a £6million solo deal last year, is considering going it alone. Meanwhile Bryan, 22, who has two daughters with wife, former Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona, is also making plans for a back-up career.

Last night a spokesman said: "Yes, Anto was sacked but Westlife are not splitting up."

20th February 03
WESTLIFE'S future was plunged into crisis last night after the band fired their tour manager and "sixth member".
Anto Byrne was sacked after a two-month feud with band member Kian Egan, 22.
Now the rest of the Irish band - Shane Filan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily - are torn between the two.
Last night, Anto refused to comment. But a band source warned: "This could be the start of the end for Westlife.
"Some of the lads are furious he has been given the boot - others were plotting the move.
"Anto guided Westlife to the top. He was responsible for their day-to- day running."
Anto was fired on Monday following a secret band meeting.
Kian had just phoned him to cancel promotions for their new single, Tonight. He will take over Anto's role for now.
However, bigwigs at Westlife's record label BMG believe the lads made a fatal decision - and will fall apart like the Spice Girls after they sacked manager Simon Fuller in 1997. One said: "Westlife are falling apart at the seems.
"This is an indication all is not well. Kian wanted to start making bigger decisions and things became tense between him and Anto - even though most of the other lads wanted him to stay."
Four months ago, Kian praised Anto as "Our second daddy" on the band's Greatest Hits album.
But Anto recently admitted: "This job is far from easy - people have no idea about the long hours and short holidays."

20th February 03
WESTLIFE'S future was plunged into crisis last night after the band fired their tour manager and "sixth member".

Anto Byrne was sacked after a two-month feud with band member Kian Egan, 22. Now the rest of the Irish band - Shane Filan, Bryan McFadden, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily - are torn between the two.
Last night, Anto refused to comment. But a band source warned: "This could be the start of the end for Westlife.
"Some of the lads are furious he has been given the boot - others were plotting the move.
"Anto guided Westlife to the top. He was responsible for their day-to- day running."
Anto was fired on Monday following a secret band meeting.
Kian had just phoned him to cancel promotions for their new single, Tonight. He will take over Anto's role for now.
However, bigwigs at Westlife's record label BMG believe the lads made a fatal decision - and will fall apart like the Spice Girls after they sacked manager Simon Fuller in 1997. One said: "Westlife are falling apart at the seems.
"This is an indication all is not well. Kian wanted to start making bigger decisions and things became tense between him and Anto - even though most of the other lads wanted him to stay."
Four months ago, Kian praised Anto as "Our second daddy" on the band's Greatest Hits album.
But Anto recently admitted: "This job is far from easy - people have no idea about the long hours and short holidays."

18th February 03
Atomic Kitten's Liz McLarnon is reported to have dumped her Westlife boyfriend Kian Egan - despite the fact that he lavished flowers and chocolates on her on Valentine's Day.
They blame their hectic work schedules for the failure of the relationship.
Not that Kian didn't try - he sent his fav Kitten 100 red roses, luxury chocolates and £200 bottles of champagne on February 14.
But a source close to the Westlife star said: "Although it was her decision, both parties are very upset that things didn't work out."
Liz, 21, and Kian, 22, met after a former Westlife bouncer began dating fellow Atomic Kitten star Natasha Hamilton.
But the pair were only a couple for two months.
A spokesman for both McLarnon and Egan said: "Both of them are very upset about this, although the relationship was never that serious.
"They are both very busy with work and hardly have time for anything else."

16th February 03
Blushing bride Charlene Anderson knew she'd found Mr Right when Westlife's Mark Feehily gave her a dozen roses.
Charlene, 24, from Glasgow, turned down the pop hunk to walk down the aisle an hour later with boyfriend David Shearer, 27, at Strathclyde University's Barony Hall.
"As much as I love Westlife I still want to marry David," she laughed.
Charlene was nominated by maid-of-honour Nicola Anderson for a Radio Clyde-sponsored visit by the Westlife singer.
Gallant Mark, 22, revealed: "All the excitement takes my mind of the fact that I haven't got a girlfriend just now."

16th February 03
MOST young women can only dream of a Valentine's Day visit from a boy band pop star -- but for one lucky lady the dream became a reality.
Vicky Elton had the time of her life when Westlife's Kian Egan dropped in on her at work, armed with flowers, chocolates and kisses.
The visit was the star prize in a radio station competition, which Vicky only found out she had won two hours before Kian's arrival.
Vicky, of Ellenbrook, Worsley, was chosen from more than 20,000 people who entered the Key 103 breakfast show poetry competition to meet the star.
She said: "You had to e-mail and say why Kian should visit you. I thought my week couldn't get any worse after my boyfriend left for the Gulf and I crashed my car, all in the same week as my 23rd birthday, so I had to enter."
Vicky was told on Thursday night she was in the final 10 and had to stay by her phone during yesterday's breakfast show.
"We were all listening to the radio at work when they rang. I was so excited. I rushed out and bought him a Valentine's card!"
A true Westlife fan, junior occupational therapist Vicky who works at Darley Court care home, Halliwell, has seen the band in concert five times.
She said: "I was so nervous, but when he arrived he was lovely. I would definitely give this day 12 out of 10."
Kian had flown from Dublin specially for the visit and arrived straight from Manchester Airport to applause from the entire staff and screams from excited St Joseph's RC Primary School pupils next door.
He said: "This is the first time I have done anything like this on Valentine's Day, it's a lovely idea."
And Vicky was not the only focus of the 22-year-old's affections during his 20 minute stay. Darley Court resident Joyce Archer, aged 80, was lucky enough to snatch a quick photo with him.
Joyce said: "He was just leaving and I only came down to look, but he came back in to see me. I never thought he'd do that, it was wonderful."

The winning poem:
Because so far,
I've had the worst week.
I've crashed my car,
City -- United did not beat.
My boyfriend has left and gone to the Gulf,
It's my birthday on Wednesday and it's gone be tough.
But if Kian came round a different tale would unfold --
Valentine's Day would be one to behold.

14th February 03
The details for Westlife's next single, Tonight, are now confirmed (tracklistings are below).
The song will be released on March 17th - St Patrick's Day - and will feature Miss You Nights as well, which of course was due to be released back in January, before various bouts of band illness kicked in.
Happily everyone's fit and healthy again, and as you've probably seen, back on the promo trail with their usual dominance!

So, the tracklistings for Tonight are:

CD1
1. Tonight (single remix)
2. Miss You Nights (single remix)
3. Where We Belong
4. Tonight (video)

CD2
1. Tonight (single remix)
2. Tonight (12" metro mix)
3. Miss You Nights (video + trackable lyrics)

Cassette
1. Tonight (single remix)
2. Miss You Nights (single remix)

13th February 03
Westlife's Shane Filan and his fiancé Gillian Walsh were spotted at the Fashion Show in Sligo IT last week.
His clothes shop, Morgan, were taking part in the show and Shane was there to oversee the event along with his sister Mairead.
They were supported by other members of the Filan family.
All the proceeds went to the Sligo Hospice.
Shoppers got the first taste of the spring/summer collection of Morgan which was modelled by students and lecturers in the college.
Wedding dresses were modelled too, leaving onlookers wondering if any of them caught Gillian's eye.
The couple have not yet spoken about their wedding plans but rumours that it will be in Ashford Castle have not been denied. The wedding is to take place this December.
The fashion show took place in the Aula Maxima last Tuesday at 7.30pm.


8th February 03
Kian admitted live on CD:UK he has been seeing Liz Atomic Kitten for a while and at the same time Bryan confessed he did not pick Shane's name out of a hat to be Lilly's godfather. He was picked because he's a really good friend.

6th February 03
Westlife's Kian Egan has confirmed he is dating Atomic Kitten star Liz McClarnon.
The star said they got together at London nightclub Click a few weeks ago, but they have been friends for years.
Kian recently broke up with Scandinavian dancer Jessica Forsman, while Liz split with her childhood sweetheart Tommy Hibbs last year.
He told the Daily Mirror: "We haven't been seeing each other for too long.
"I first met Liz four years ago, when we did the Smash Hits tour with Atomic Kitten. We were friends for a long time.
"Shane and I had a party in Belfast together on New Year's Eve. Liz happened to be out there and came along.
"We didn't get together then. It was a bit later than that. But we talked to each other for ages.
"Now she has come back from Asia, where she was touring with the band. I haven't planned anything for Valentine's Day yet - I will though."
Liz added: "Kian is really lovely. It's early days and we are both really happy. Let's just wait and see what happens."

5th February 03
Westlife hunk Mark Feehily turned up to a video shoot with a drink- induced black eye - and he visited the damage upon himself.
The singer was forced to cover up the injury while shooting the promo for Tonight. He was so embarrassed by his antics that he tried in desperation to hide the truth, but finally admitted how he acquired the horrendous bruise.
A spy close to the boyband says, "We managed to cover it okay for the video, but it took us a while to bully him into telling us how it happened. Apparently he'd had a drink or two the night before and because the combat trousers he was wearing were so baggy, he tripped over and bashed his eye."

4th February 03
Proud parents Bryan and Kerry McFadden are pleased to announce the birth of their second child Lilly Sue McFadden, who was born at Mount Carmel Private Hospital in South Dublin at 10.31pm on Monday 3rd Febuary, 2003.
Baby Lilly weighed in at 7lb 7oz. Mother and child are extremely happy and healthy.
Lilly is Bryan and Kerry's second child following the birth of Molly McFadden 17 months ago.
Bryan says: "I'm absolutely over the moon. I feel delighted, it's another step closer to becoming the big family! We're all at Kerry's bedside today. I have also asked Shane to be the godfather to Lilly. I'd like to thank all of Westlife too for all their love and support".

31st January 03
Westlife add another Wembley date!
8th June 2003
Tickets £27.50 + booking fee
On sale 9am 03/02/03
Box Office 0870 739 0739

30th January 03
It's looking likely that 2003 will be the year of US boyband Natural.
Not only do the five-piece have a sponsorship contract with Burger King under their belts, but they also recently completed a jaunt around the UK on the Smash Hits Tour.
Amazingly, things look set to get even better for the well-scrubbed, all-American lads. Why? Well, they've just landed themselves a slot supporting Westlife on their forthcoming tour of the UK! Yep, that's right, fans who've nabbed tickets for the Irish heartthrobs' nationwide tour will be able to check out not just five hunky pop studmuffins, but ten!
Natural will be whipping the crowd into a frenzy in support of Shane Filan and the boys at the following venues: Cardiff International Arena (April 15th), Birmingham NEC (May 27th), London Wembley Arena (June 3rd), Manchester MEN Arena (10th), Nottingham Arena (May 16th), Glasgow SECC (23rd), London Wembley Arena (June 7th), Manchester Evening News Arena (12th), Newcastle Telewest Arena (July 1st), Glasgow SECC (8th) and Sheffield Arena (18th).

29th January 03
Bryan Mcfadden wants to be the new Louis Walsh - by managing a new Irish band.
The singer is informally going behind the scenes as he plans for life outside Westlife.
The singer has become best friends with new Irish group Fifth Avenue and is acting as consultant to pass on his knowledge of the music industry.
It's the career path Bryan wants to take when Westlife finally call it a day.
It echos what Ronan Keating did for Westlife when he bacame their co manager alongside Louis Walsh, in the early days.
But Bryan's dicision has nothing to do with Irish pop boss Walsh - although he is encouraging him to get as much management experience as possible.
It's further proof that Bryan is now preparing for life after Westlife.
A couple of weeks ago I told you that he has been doing loads of song writing and has written Girls Aloud's next single.
A source told me: "A lot of people see Bryan as the joker of the group. But if you had to pick one to go in to the music business it would be him."

14th January 03
BRYAN McFADDEN and wife KERRY chose an unusual way to pick who they will ask to be the godfather to the baby they are expecting.
Bryan couldn't decide which of his westlife mates to ask so he put all their names into a hat – and the couple picked out SHANE FILAN.
Nicky revealed: "Shane will be godfather to Bryan's baby. Bry put our names in a hat and Shane was the winner."

14th January 03
Westlife are about to start filming the new video for Tonight in London and Mexico.

14th January 03
Poor old Bryan and Kerry Katona have been through the wars a bit recently. Little Molly - their 16-month-old baby girl - was taken ill last week, and was so unwell at one point that the worried pop parents even rushed her to their local casualty to get her checked out.
A concerned Bryan even cancelled a few of his scheduled appearances with Westlife to be by his baby's side as doctors gave her the once over. This is the second time Molly's health has given doctors cause for concern. Last May the McFadds took her to have tests for meningitis, which luckily came back negative.
Thankfully, press reports seem to indicate that Molly has once again been given the all clear. She just had a really bad viral infection, and she's already on the mend. A hugely relieved Kerry told the Mirror: "Molly was a bit poorly but she's fine now." Phew!

9th January 03
According to press reports Irish boyband Westlife have stepped up security around themselves and their families following the Victoria Beckham kidnap scare.
State of the art security systems have been installed in all their homes and increased 24 hour security guards on constant watch have been employed.
The Star newspaper has reported that Bryan McFadden is the most likely target, he and his ex-Atomic Kitten wife Kerry have a baby girl Molly. And to make matters worse his family are on the "10 most Wanted" kidnap list according to the Garda.
Bryan told the paper: "I got stopped by the Gardai in an unmarked car. I met the inspector and we had a chat. He told me that we were on a kidnap list. It's nice for us to know they're keeping an eye on us, but at the same time, it's a bit scary."
Also in danger is Westlife's Nicky Byrne who has just proposed to his long-term girlfriend and daughter of the Taoiseach Georgina Ahern.
He said recently, "The good thing about where I'm moving to is that there's good security. We've got cameras and links to the police station aswell."

9th January 03
Long hours in the studio, arduous tour schedules, endless PR appearances and thousands of miles of travelling have left the five members of Westlife very well off at the end of 2002.
The quintet received just under €1 million each and manager Louis Walsh received almost double that from his very public enterprises last year.
Shane, Kian, Mark, Nicky and Bryan are all directors of Bluenet, whose turnover comes from Westlife's merchandising, royalties and tours.
The company paid its directors €836,456 each and the five performers also received €88,882 each from a subsidiary company, Blacknight.
Westlife's mentor and manager, Louis Walsh has actually outperformed his greatest pop successes, earning €2 million in 2002.
The money not only came from the success of Westlife, but from other performers in his stable including Samantha Mumba and Girls Aloud, who reached the Christmas No. 1 in the UK.
Meanwhile, Westlife stand to make even more money that they did last year, in 2003. Their financial statements for 2003 will reflect sell- out tours of Europe and the phenomenal success of their greatest hits album which was released earlier this year.
Most of the guys have not been shy about showing off their new found wealth. Shane Filan, a self confessed car nut, has collected some very desirable machines, including a Ferrari and two classic American muscle cars.
He also bought his father a late Christmas present in the shape of a top-of-the-range Mercedes S-Class reported to be worth around €150,000.
Kian Egan has also invested in a Mercedes, which joins the BMW and the Porsche already in his garage.
All three Sligo members of the band have spent lavishly on their family, with Kian buying his parents a new home just outside Sligo Town.

6th January 03
We think that Westlife should put the following tracks on their next album:
DARLING I
YOU GIVE ME THAT
DON'T WANT YOU TO BE WITHOUT ME

Westlife have planned to release an album around about the middle of next year. They have had a few tracks written to maybe feature on this album. Here is a little bit about them: (be aware these may not feature on the album)

DON'T CALM THE STORM
A slightly more up-tempo ballad, Shane singing lead. Marks out of five: ****
lads views: MARK: "Good, but not great. We've recorded it before. It will be a good album filler."

DARLING I
A seriously slushy ballad. If that's why you like Westlife you'll love this one. Very touching and sweet, a little too sweet in places. Marks out of five: ***
lads views: BRYAN: "I really like this number. I can see it being a good Westlife hit. But I can see One True Voice changing the words to: Darling I, need you,to know wherever may go, my luv,'Still b missin' ya gurl till da end ov da world!! Haha. It's not that tune though!!"

YOU GIVE ME THAT
A up-tempo number. It will get you moving and a good dance track. Still has that touch of Westlife in the first verse, which turns into a fast and funky track. Shane get's a bit screchy in his backing, but Bryan is very good at holding onto the end notes, quite high but still sexy! It's really a trac for Bryan and Shane, not the others. Soz! But it's much better than Bop Bop Baby and World Of Our Own. But we still think BLUE may end up with it... Marks out of five: *****
lads views: SHANE: "I love this one! It's not Westlife, but I'd like it. If it's not for us, I'm sure someone will have it and will be number one."

DON'T WANT YOU TO BE WITHOUT ME
It's a ballad, and it's good. It' about a lad who's girl has left him and it's very sweet. It would make a excellent video and single, even a theme tune to the right movie. Marks out of five: ****
lads views: KIAN: "I like this song. It has a nice rythm and the lyrics are great."

DREAM A SWEETER DREAM
Hmm. The chorus has no breaks in it at all, they just keep singing throughout it. Very slow, lyrics are a little... boring. The song is boring but we can see Westlife fans enjoying it. The lads find it hard to keep the chorus consitent, yes they can breathe in it! It's a good song for Nicky. Not the chorus though. Kian can sing the chorus, Mark can't." Marks out of five: ***
lads views: NICKY: "I like the verse and the sound of the chorus.
But it's hard to sing. And if you dont sing it right it's boring. Not a single. I love You Give Me That."

29th December 02
Westlife's shane filan will follow james bond star Pierce Brosnans footsteps up the aisle. After a Christmas proposal,Shane has set the date for the wedding to His Fiance` Gillian walsh. The Sligo born sweethearts will tie the knot next December-mirroring Brosnans wedding. The ceremony will be in Ballintubber Abbey in county Mayo,before plush afters in Ashford castle.Shane followed his brother Liams advice in choosing the castle venue, Ashford castle is one of Irelands plushest hotels,one night standard room-with out brecfeast costs at least £336 Shanes decision means the chances of a double wedding with nicky byrne-who also got engaged Christmas day are slim. The news of each others Christmas day proposals came as a huge surprise to Nicky and Shane. When Shane phoned band manager louis walsh to tell him the news he was told he was not alone. Nicky had waited until Christmas morning to pop the question to taoisheach Bertie Ahern's daughter Georgina, Nicky and Georgina have being dating for 8 years –recently moved intothe same millionaire development as Ronan Keating. They have yet to disclose any date for the big day. Shanes parents Mae and Peter brother(names em all) and sisters (names em all) Were delighted,Also over the moon was band mate Kian Egan-who is first cousin to Gillian. Kian said hes always been happy about the relationship "I totally trust him with my cousin.if I didn't he wouldn't be with her" Shane and Gillian plan to enjoy married life in a 1.5 million love nest their building in Carraroe co. Sligo. The pair who have known each other since they were 12 have been an item for three years. "I cant ever see myself being happy without Gillian,shes my perfect package"

Will celia get an invite?
Speculation was rife yesterday that taoiseach's daughter Georgina Ahern will snub Celia Larkin when she draws up the guest list. For her wedding to westlife hunk Nicky Byrne. Georgina has made no secret of her dislike for celia.And the star can also reveal that wesltife's Shane Filan ,who also got engaged on Christmas day wil marry Gillian Walsh at Ballintubber Abbey in co Mayo,with the reception in Ashford castle. "Just where will poor Celia be on Berties Daughters big day?" Don't worry about the wedding dress,forget the first dance and never mind the menu,there'll only be on question on everyones lips when Berties little girl walks up the aisle with Nicky Byrne:"wheres celia?" Last night tongues were al ready waggin in anticipation about whether an taoiseachs partner would receive an invite to what is sure to be Irelands biggest celebrity wedding of the decade It common knowledge that Georgina doesn't get on with Celia-so the answer is likely to be "no" When asked about her relationship with Celia georgina replied"she goes her way.we go ours"Bertie has in the past managed to avoid having his two favourite girls in the same place at the same time. He has even managed to work it to his advantage-such as when it comes to holidays. The Taoiseach takes Georgina and his youngest daughter Cecilia to Kerry every year(bet that's exciten!), and then enjoys a second vacation with Celia in co.Mayo.But over the coming months as Georgina prepares for her big day ,Bertie will face a bigger headache...

26th December 02
Shane got engaged to Gillian a week before Christmas while they were on holiday in Dubai but they didn't tell their parents until yesterday. They flew to Dubai on doctor's orders and as they were sat on the beach Shane proposed.

Meanwhile, yesterday Nicky woke up to find Georgina downstairs and got down on one knee. Neither Shane nor Nicky knew of each other's intentions.

17th December 02
From Westside to Westlife, from five doe-eyed hopefuls to the seasoned performers they are today, there's no denying that Shane Filan, Nicky Bryne, Bryan McFadden, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily have dominated the pop world in such a huge way that most boy bands can only look on in envy. Three multi-platinum albums and 10 No. 1 hits later, the Irish lads finally unleashed their greatest hits album Unbreakable in November 2002 and conveniently scored their 11th No. 1 with the title single on the British charts.

"The greatest hits is doing really well," said Nicky via a long distance phone call from their London headquarters. "It contains all our hits so far and looking back, there've been lots of fond memories and lots of changes over the years. The fans have always been really supportive of us."

Despite international success, Westlife has never put Southeast Asia at the back of their mind. In fact, the lads have always made Southeast Asia one of the major stops for their promotional tours. Earlier this year in October, the Irish charmers staged a Showcase & Soccer Extravaganza in K.L., Malaysia to promote Unbreakable, even though acts like Oasis and Darren Hayes pulled out of their tour in light of the October 12 Bali bombing. Not only did the lads pulled off a glorious 7-1 win against the Malaysian Rockers United, they have certainly scored major points with their Asian fans for their effort by making the trip. And to give something back to their fans, Westlife also re-recorded "Flying Without Wings" as a duet with Korean teen sensation BoA for the Asian edition of the greatest hits album.

"(BoA) was very eager and it turns out that she's a big Westlife fan as well! 'Flying Without Wings' and 'World Of Our Own' are some of my favorite tracks, so we are really pleased to work with her," said Nicky.

Other than the duet version of "Flying Without Wings," there are also six brand new tracks on the greatest hits album -- one of them is a cover of Cliff Richard's "Miss You Nights," which the lads will be releasing as a single in Europe in January, 2003. If fans remembered correctly, the lads mentioned before that "Uptown Girl" was "probably going to be (their) last cover" and that they "much prefer to sit down and write (their) own songs." So, why the decision to release a cover for as a single now?

"It wasn't our choice to do it really," explained Nicky. "Our label and manager thought it would be great to release the song. It's a good song and we do enjoy doing it. The ballads have worked out really out for us and we don't really want to change it. But we are always experiencing new things, so there's always a chance for our style to develop and evolve further."

Covers or not, it seems that Nicky and his jolly mates are very likely to score themselves their 12th No. 1 soon. And judging by the way they have come to conquer with their remarkable voices, "unbreakable" will soon be an understatement for the mighty five in time to come with a rumored 20 million pounds five-album deal newly signed with BMG. It seems like an astronomical figure to the common people, but Nicky is determined to keep the figures hush-hush.

"Well, we did sign a deal with BMG. But I'm not going to reveal the exact figure!" laughed Nicky.

Such secrecy. But it's no secret that Westlife will be up against a1, Blue, Destiny's Child and No Doubt for the much coveted Favourite Pop Act award at the forthcoming 2003 MTV Asia Awards on January 24 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Having swept award shows like crazy -- they clinched five Smash Hits awards and Best UK Group at the NMA awards recently -- is the group still as excited and nervous at awards ceremonies?

"Yes. It's still a thrill to be winning at awards shows. And it's fantastic to be nominated again for the MTV Asia Awards. We won last year, thanks to the fans who voted for us. So, to all the fans out there, please vote for us again!"

You bet they will. And although Nicky brushed off the rumors of Westlife making their bid as actors in a movie titled Westlife The Movie, the group has 2003 all mapped out.

"We are having a tour in Europe next May and hopefully, we will bring it to Asia in September. Now, we are just gonna continue promoting the greatest hits album and we will take a short break for Christmas. I'm going back home and chill out with my family! Be big Santa Clauses and drink lots of beer!" roared Nicky down the phone.

Well, indeed. Looks like there will be more adventures and chart conquests to come from the unbreakable five. Brace yourself, world.

16th December 02
POP stars Westlife brought a little bit of magic to children at a cancer hospital — by performing conjuring tricks. Bryan McFadden delighted the youngsters by showing he could make a handkerchief vanish. He and bandmates spent almost two hours signing autographs and posing for photos at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Sutton, Surrey. Bryan said: "It's amazing to be able to come here and see the children's faces light up. They get really excited and it's nice to make them happy." Thrilled Lucy Clark, nine, said: "I love Westlife and it's so exciting to meet them. They're really nice." Celestine Duval, six, said: "I always wanted to meet them — now I have!"

13th December 02
It seems the Westlife guys are starting to come to terms with their vast wealth after three years at the top of the charts with ShowBiz Cribs.
Not to be outdone by their US counterparts, as seen on MTV Cribs, the Westlife guys are investing their money into plush pads and expensive toys.
Shane Filan has already built his own mansion for himself and girlfriend Gillian Walsh in Sligo. He now intends to add a 30,000 euro snooker room and bar to the property.
It has also been revealed that his Westlife chum and fellow Sligonian Mark Feehily intends to move out of his Mum's three bed apartment and into a seven bed house in Sligo.
The 22 year old heart throb also intends to purchase an apartment in London.

12th December 02
Westlife announce more UK dates

Westlife have announced five more dates for their UK tour next year.
The band are touring around the UK in April, May and June.
Tickets will go on sale at 9am on December 13.
The new dates are:

April 15 Cardiff International Arena
May 16 Nottingham Arena
May 23 Glasgow SECC
June 7 Wembley Arena
June 12 Manchester MEN Arena

11th December 02
Details of Westlife's biggest ever outdoor concert were announced this week. The band will play Landsdowne Road on June 27 next year. This is their biggest outdoor gig ever and is a certainty to sell out fast. The tickets go on sale this Saturday, December 14.
Much speculation surrounded the dates and venues for their gigs in Ireland. Details of their 11 shows in the Odyssey Arena in Belfast were made known a number of weeks ago.
The band are delighted that the Dublin gig has been announced. Kian explained just how much it means to the band: "Playing Landsdowne Road is extra special. Myself, Mark and Shane went up there when we were younger on a bus from Sligo to see Michael Jackson in concert. He was the King of Pop at the time and we were very excited to see him.
"Shane was the biggest fan of us all and took a clump of the grass with him when he left."
And how the tides have changed. Next summer the band will take centre stage in front of 40,000 adoring fans.
"We never thought that one day we would be playing in front of 40,000 fans.
"It's great going into the New Year with a major tour on the back of our Greatest Hits album."
Last week the band shot their new video to their next single, the Cliff Richard hit Miss You Nights. It was filmed on a set in East London.
This is the follow up single to the band's successful hit Unbreakable. Miss You Nights will be released in early January.

4th December 02
It has been a mixed week for Ireland's most successful boyband ever. Westlife captured no fewer than five awards at the Smash Hits Awards on November 25, but failed to pick up a single gong at the Top of the Pops Awards at the weekend.

The Smash Hits awards are voted for by the readers of Smash Hits Magazine, a mag which has always had one eye on Ireland's favourite exports.

The readers nominated the band for four awards, with Bryan McFadden picking up a trophy for "Party Mentalist of the Year". Westlife were chosen as Best Pop Band, Best International Act, Smash Hits Cover of the Year and for the prestigious Hall of Fame Award. Following the release of their greatest hits album "Unbreakable" it is a timely inclusion of the band in the Smash Hits hall of fame, even though they have promised many more hits to come.

In stark contrast, the Top of the Pops awards, which took place live on Saturday night was noticeable for ignoring the phenomenal success of Westlife over the past 12 months.

3rd December 02
Westlife have been forced to re-record their latest chartbuster without heart-throb Shane Filan. The Irish boy band held emergency talks last week when Shane was struck down with Glandular fever, rendering him unable to perform and leaving the band without their strongest vocalist.

The lads have already kicked off a hectic promotional campaign for their Greatest Hits album, Unbreakable, in a bid to scoop the top spot in the lucrative Christmas market.

But Shane's illness means the remaining members of the band have had to split his vocal duties between them-and re-record their new single "Miss You Nights" for all their planned appearences on tv in the next few weeks.

27th November 02
Last weekend's Smash Hits Poll Winners Party was the pop event of the year and we were there backstage chatting to a host of the day's special guests.
"To collect four awards was excellent." Westlife's Shane told us. "We're very pleased, very happy. Now we're taking five weeks off at Christmas, we're gonna relax, go on holidays, spend time with our families."

20th November 02
Five lucky MTV Asia contest winners got to meet Westlife in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on October 29, 2002. The Irish lads were in town for the Westlife Showcase & Soccer Extravaganza, and they had the chance to play a little football game with them at the National Sports Complex.
Gerald, Salena, Ice, Anna and Hestia met up with Kian, Shane, Mark, Bryan and Nicky for two rounds of penalty shoots. The lucky five also received a signed jersey from each member of Westlife!
The next night, Westlife performed seven songs, including "Unbreakable," "Uptown Girl," "World Of Our Own," and "Tonight," at the stadium to an estimated 20,000 fans before changing into their football kits for a star-studded match with Malaysian Rockers United. The event, organized to help raise money for the national cancer charity, MAKNA, also saw about 150 lucky fans and press members from around Asia flying in to Malaysia's capital to attend the fun-filled extravaganza.
Westlife won the match 7-1 with Bryan scoring four, Shane with two, and Nicky with one goal! At the end of the day, the outcome of the match didn't matter. Everybody had fun and the event helped raise money for the needy.

18th November 02
Westlife's next single will be Miss You Nights - the single is coming out early 2003, January 6th.

CD1
1. Miss You Nights
2. Where We Belong
3. Let's make Tonight Special
CD-Rom: Miss You Nights video Trackable lyrics

CD2
1. Miss You Nights
2. Crying Inside
CD-Rom: Exclusive footage from Greatest Hits launch events in Dublin, Belfast, Edinburgh, Manchester and London Gallery

Cassette:
1. Miss You Nights
2. Where We Belong

15th November 02
Westlife's Bryan races home from party after pregnant wife is close to collapse. Westlife's Bryan McFadden has told of his fears for pregnant wife Kerry after she nearly collapsed. The former Atomic Kitten singer felt faint at the band's album launch party on Saturday night and was whisked home by worried relatives. Bryan, who performed with the band - Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne and Mark Feehily - in the Redbox Club, Dublin, rushed to Kerry's side after the album launch. In an exclusive interview with 3am, Bryan, 22, said last night: "It was very warm in there and she got really flustered. "Kerry's heavily pregnant and found it all a bit too much. She was rushed outside as she needed some air, then went home." Bryan, who was also celebrating the band's 11th No 1 with Unbreakable, added: "She was worried but was a lot better by the time I got home." The couple already have a 14-month-old daughter, Molly, and Bryan joked he hopes for a boy this time so "I can start building a family football team." Kerry has been plagued by complications during both pregnancies. Six months after Molly was born she had an ovarian cyst removed. And five weeks into her current pregnancy she was rushed to hospital with severe pain. Doctors feared an ectopic pregnancy but found another cyst. As a result the McFaddens are being extra cautious. But the band's joker, Kian, played down Kerry's health scare, saying: "She always faints when she sees us on stage."

4th November 02
Bryan wants to quit the band so he can become a TV presenter with wife Kerry.

He has set his heart on a double act with Kerry. A source told British tabloid THE DAILY STAR, "Bryan is desperate to leave and is seriously thinking of walking out any day now, but really wants to set himself up with a few possibilities for TV first.

"He's fed up with the pop star lifestyle now that's he's a dad and he and Kerry are looking around at the moment for telly jobs they can do together. He's grown up a lot over the past year and is expecting a second child. He has enjoyed himself immensely in Westlife, but feels now is the right time to move on."

31st October 02
AT a time when Oasis, the self-proclaimed bad boys of Britrock, shunned South-east Asia, members of an Irish boyband are willing to embrace their fans in this region with open arms.

Despite the shadow cast by Bali's bombing and the region being branded a high-risk area by some members of the international community, nothing could deter the Westlife guys.

Not only have the lads chosen Malaysia for the regional launch of their new album, Unbreakable: The Greatest Hits, which is out in stores, they also performed a public showcase and played a friendly soccer match at Kuala Lumpur's National Stadium last night.

Bryan McFadden, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne all insist that it boils down to loyalty and gratitude to the countries that have made them the international superstars they are today.

30th October 02
Westlife's Nicky Byrne is splashing out €2.7m to be Ronan Keating's neighbour in millionaire's row housing development. Nicky and girlfriend Georgina Ahern will move into the exclusive Abington Estate where Keating and his former model wife Yvonne have set up home. Nicky is snapping up one of just six homes left in the 43-acre parkland setting just outside the village of Malahide in Co. Dublin.

He joins millionaires from all around the country who have bought up nearly all of the 50 sites and homes available in the development. "Nicky wanted to buy in Abington for more than a year now and he's delighted because now he's finally in the position to go ahead" said a source close to the Westlife singer.
"He put his own house on the market, got the go-ahead from the bank and he hope to have contracts sorted in the next few weeks." Nicky and Taoiseach's daughter Georgina are set to move into the most expensive homes ever to have appeared on the Irish market. Each of the Georgian style residences has a minimum of six bedrooms but can accommodate up to eight.
Homes in the development are priced between €2.1m and €2.7m. Keating splashed out on the top of the range style house in May last year and spent an extra €500, 000 for the fully furnished show house. "Nicky thinks they are the most incredible houses he's ever seen," said a source.

30th October 02
Westlife will be celebrating their incredible collection of hits by embarking on a three country, five city, 36 hr tour of Britain and Ireland.They will be jetting form Ireland, to Scotland and then on to England with a huge unbreakable The Greatest hits volume 1 album sleeve banner which their many fans will be invited to sign. Westlife will of course be returning the favour by meeting fans at the five HMV flagship stores they will be visiting, and taking part in a 30 minute q.

3rd October 02
The Westlife lads are all sending their special thanks to their fans by naming them all on the sleeve of their greatest hits album, Unbreakable. The guys are putting all names who actually officially registered their names in Westlife’s official fan club!! A spokesman for the group said: "It's a way to say thank you for all their support. "The boys could not have done it without their help."

1st October 02
Westlife’s new single Unbreakable would be realeased later next month, to be real exact on 11th of November, the guys got hooked on poker back in LA. Mark Feehily says: "I lost. My forfeit was to buy the whole bar a drink. It cost me $1,000!"
Wouldn't strip poker be cheaper?

29th August 02
Guess what peeps ?? Some more news of extra tracks that will be included in Westlife’s fourth album “Greatest Hits “ CD. Of course the album will include all their songs and singles as well there will be added some two new cover versions of a Cliff Richards and Connor Reeves' Earthbound. As well it will include their latest single “ Unbreakable” which we all really hope to reach no,1 in the charts world wide.
For more information check Westlife’s official site www.westlife.com

26th August 02
The guys are in America at the moment trying to break the American charts with their songs, specially after they released their new video of World Of Our Own (The American Version).
The new video was shot basically in LA . which they thought it would really help to break America!!
To Join the Westlife Street Team USA and Canada: http://clix.to/westlifestreetteam
Request World Of Our Own on US Radio: http://www.oocities.org/withashout73/wooocampaign.html!
For more information check Westlife’s official site www.westlife.com

18/08/02 - Westlife are off to America to promote World of Our Own which is doing well so far.

08/08/02 - World of Our Own was released in America today. The video is already doing well over there and the single is expected to do better.

Congratulations to Bryan and Kerry who expect their second baby in February