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02/02/01: Boy George mocks Westlife as 'Pondlife'
Boy George has voiced concerns over pop bands like Westlife and S Club 7. The Eighties singer branded Westlife as "Pondlife" and said the Wombles were more stylish than S Club 7. And he called A1 "Gay One", saying they were rude and obnoxious when he met them. George was speaking alongside talent-spotters Nicky Chapman and Paul Adam at a debate about manufactured pop groups called GM:Pop?
It was organised by ITV to celebrate the success of hit show Popstars. Reject Darius also attended the talk, complete with a "massive entourage" including his lawyer. He was reported to have been snubbed by bosses at Innocent Records. Bros manager Tom Watkins said Darius "won't get a deal with an attitude like his".
27/01/01: Westlife Uptown Girl
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Westlife charmed supermodel Claudia Schiffer on Thursday as they filmed the video to their new charity single Uptown Girl in aid of Comic Relief. The German star took the role made famous by Christie Brinkley in Billy Joel's original version of the song. Schiffer joined the record-breaking Irish five-piece for filming in a diner near London's King's Cross Station. Schiffer, who is dating Matthew Vaughn, producer of the hit movie Snatch, was approached by writer Richard Curtis, the boss of Comic Relief.
In the video the Westlife boys are waiters and cooks in a '50s diner and win the heart of the model who has popped in with a bunch of obnoxious lads. Schiffer confessed that she was a Westlife fan. `Richard Curtis rang me and asked me to do the video,' she says. 'I was delighted to oblige. The combination of the song, which I love, working with Westlife, who are lots of fun, and being able to help Comic Relief made it an irresistible proposition.'
Westlife were pleased that Schiffer won the role. Mark Feehily said, `I had a poster of her on my wall for years when I was younger. It's nice for a poster to turn into real life.'
After singer Billy Joel filmed the original video for Uptown Girl he fell for Christie Brinkley and they later married, but the band laughed off any repeat. However Kian Egan joked, `We might go for a few drinks later on and I might chance my arm.'
The group have already notched up a string of seven consecutive No 1 singles, but were held off the top slot at Christmas by Bob The Builder's Can We Fix It. They're hoping Uptown Girl can be No 1 this time around. 'As long as Bob The Builder isn't around!' said Mark.'
Westlife's Shane Filan is used to working in a diner. His parents owned the Carlton Caf in Sligo. `I've worked in a caf all my life, I'm used used to putting on aprons and stuff,' he said.
Westlife's single Uptown Girl will be released on 5 March ahead of Comic Relief Day on 16 March.
18/01/01: Micheal Jackson is a Fan of Westlife
Pop king Michael Jackson is a Westlife fan - and may ditch pop rivals a1 to work with them.
The music legend loves the Irish band's new album "Coast To Coast" and has even asked about meeting the boys when he visits Britain later this year.
Westlife band member Shane Filan said it would be a dream come true for the group to sing with the "Thriller" hitmaker.
He says, "If we get the chance it will be amazing for us - you don't get any bigger than that.
"We haven't heard too much about what he thinks of us because he is so secretive.
"But if he's listened to our album and wants to work with us then we would jump at the chance.
"Working with Mariah Carey was amazing, but to sing with Michael is the ultimate."
10/01/01: Bryan And Kerry's Love Child On The Way
Westlife's Bryan McFadden and his girlfriend Kerry Katona have another bombshell to drop on fans - the sexy blonde is pregnant.
The pop pair, who recently unveiled their secret year-long engagement, are overjoyed about the pregnancy. Atomic Kitten singer Kerry is due to give birth on September 5, 2001 - the day before her 21st birthday.
Heart-throb Bryan says, "This is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I just can't wait to be a dad. The rest of the lads in the band are really pleased for me.
"I told my folks a week ago and they were delighted for both of us. They're mad about Kerry - and her family are just as pleased. We're looking forward to becoming parents. She's the most wonderful girl in the world and we're both happy. That's all that matters."
Kerry adds, "At first I thought 'Wow,' because I wasn't expecting it. But now I couldn't be happier.
"My family are ecstatic and Natasha (Hamilton) from the band is wanting to get down to Babygap straight away.
"I just can't wait to get dead fat and lie around. There'll be drinking and no showbiz parties for a while."
There is one downside to the news - the couple's planned July (2001) wedding in Ireland will have to be reconsidered, so sexy Kerry isn't too pregnant at the altar.
10/12/00: Westlife Win Record Of The Year
Westlife scooped ITV's Record Of The Year poll for the second year running tonight (Saturday) with My Love. Over one and a half million callers phoned the ITV voting line.
While the band waited backstage for the result in true Eurovision style, several artists told worldpop they thought Westlife's victory was a foregone conclusion. 'Westlife deserve it,' said Sonique, nominated for Feel So Good. 'I toured in America with them and they're genuinely nice guys. I wouldn't say if I didn't mean it. Natalie Appleton from All Saints also said that Westlife would win.
worldpop asked Westlife's Mark about Keith and Shane from Boyzone's comments recently, saying the only way for Westlife was down. 'Shane just likes to have a laugh,' said Mark, 'He says things to wind us up. It's amazing to win this for a second year. Our aim now is to consolidate what we've achieved and I don't think well be going down for a couple of years yet.'
7/12/00: Westlife set for Christmas No 1
Westlife are still favourites for the Christmas No 1 according to bookmakers William Hill who give their single What Makes A Man odds of 4/9 for the festive chart topper. But Bob The Builder's strong sales of We Can Fix It this week have reduced the handyman's odds to 2/1 while Big Brother's Craig Phillips, despite being voted a flop by worldpop users, is third favourite at 7/1 with At This Time Of Year.
Other contenders include girl trio Sugababes' New Year at 16/1, Robbie Williams' Supreme at 20/1 and karaoke pensioner Reg Cooper. Who?
7/12/00: Westlife Diss 'Forever'
It looks like the feud between the Westlife boys and the Spice Girls is set to erupt again. Despite already winning the battle to secure the coveted number one spot in the UK album charts, reports in the UK tabloids quote Bryan from Westlife as labelling the Spice Girls latest album 'Forever' as, "rubbish, there's a couple of decent tracks on it. 'Holler' and 'Let Love Lead The Way' are OK and there's a track called 'Oxygen', but the rest of it is rubbish." Nicky Byrne added: "They didn't sell many copies of 'Forever' in America. That says it all."
7/12/00: Westlife: We Made Our Own Success
Irish pop sensations Westlife are fed up with hearing that their success is due to having Boyzone star Ronan Keating as their co-manager.
The "My Love" hit makers insist they are successful on their own merits.
Group member Shane Filan says, "I don't think seven million people would buy our records because of Ronan. At the moment, we're more successful than him, so it's weird to say that."
5/12/00: Bryan To Marry Atomic Kitten
Wedding bells are said to be on the horizon for Westlife's Bryan McFadden and Atomic Kitten's Kerry Katona.
Bryan has already been pondering what the first dance at their Reception will be.
Bryan spilled the beans after hearing Dane Blowers sing 'From The Heart', by his old band Another Level, at a Smash Hits Tour party in Sheffield, England.
"I want this song at my wedding with Kerry. I want Dane to sing it", said Bryan.
Bryan and Kerry are celebrating their first anniversary.
5/12/00: Westlife slam Spice Girls ... again
Just when you thought the Westlife vs Spice Girls feud was over, the boys have launched another attack on Planet Spice. Speaking to worldpop, Westlife's Bryan McFadden, described the recent Spice album, Forever, as 'rubbish.' 'There's a couple of decent tracks on it,' said Bryan. 'Holler and Let Love Lead The Way are OK. And there's one other track called Oxygen but the rest of it is rubbish.'
Nicky Byrne was next to step up to the mic. 'They sold about seven copies of Forever in America. That says it all. All I said in the first place was that they aren't as popular as they used to be and then they started to slime us and said that we weren't big in America. Would we sing on a Spice Girls' TV Special? There'll never be one because they're not legends.'
'But you have to give credit to the Spice Girls,' adds Bryan. 'At the end of the day they did put England and Ireland back on the map.'
Christina Aguilera also comes in for criticism. 'She's just a big cow,' says Bryan. 'Two female fans crept into my hotel room naked one night but I walked out. They weren't that attractive. They were Christina Aguilera standard,' he says.
Bryan is saving his charms for Mariah Carey who performed a duet with the band on Against All Odds. 'They had to touch up the video for that song because I kept staring at Mariah's breasts,' he says, adding 'She has big breasts.' You don't say.
The band also slammed stories that they only achieved success because of their famous manager, Ronan Keating. 'That's ridiculous,' says Shane. 'I don't think seven million people would buy our records just because of Ronan. At the moment, we're a lot more successful than Ronan so it's weird to say that.'
2/12/00: Catch Westlife on SM:TV
Make sure you tune into SM:tv live tomorrow for the first performance of Westlife's brand new single and potential Christmas No 1, What Makes A Man. The boys are hoping to repeat last year's No 1 success with Seasons In The Sun/ I Have A Dream so make sure you switch on early to catch this year's contender.
The boys will be joined in the SM:tv studio by various members of the Coronation Street cast who are celebrating the show's 40th anniversary. You can also catch brand new videos from Kylie Minogue and Madonna, while Martine McCutcheon will be baring all in the SM:tv strip search.
cd:uk stars this week include S Club 7 who look likely to score another Saturday Chart No 1 and Sugababes who will be premiering their second single, New Year. Madison Avenue will take to their stage to perform their new single and rockers Bon Jovi and Guns 'N Roses star Slash will also be in the studio.
With all that on offer there's no excuse for staying in bed beyond 9.25am! Don't forget to check out worldpop's exclusive backstage gossip after the show.
1/12/00: Steps and Westlife kept at arms length
Record company bosses have ensured that the feud between members of Steps and Westlife isn't re-ignited by keeping them apart at BBC Television Centre.
Both pop bands were there today (Friday December 1st) to rehearse their performances on tomorrow night's National Lottery show.
It's been reported that extra measures were taken to make sure that they were kept at opposite ends of the building and lookouts were even put in place to make sure neither group bumped into each other.
A music industry insider has revealed that the band's record companies aren't taking any chances. Since the well publicised spats between them, every precaution is being taken to avoid repeat performances.
Both Steps and Westlife had to pre-record their parts for tomorrow's show because of the current industrial action at TV Centre and because of previously scheduled touring commitments.
July 3, 2000: Bryan Stunned By Two Naked Girls
source: WENN
Westlife star Bryan McFadden was at the center of a security alert when two female fans broke into his hotel room and sprawled naked on his bed.
Bryan was returning from a recording session in Orlando, Florida, when he discovered the two 18-year-olds in his room.
The girls had climbed through an open first floor window and stripped while they awaited his return.
Bryan says, "It's the biggest shock I've had so far in Westlife, although it might seem a bit funny to some people. At the end of the day they didn't mean any harm. I think they just got a bit carried away."
The singer immediately called hotel security to have the girls taken out of the hotel. His band mates rushed to the room to look on in disbelief as the girls begged to be let stay.
Bryan adds, "One of them was leafing through my phone diary and writing down numbers. I've had to ring loads of people, including Mariah Carey and Ronan Keating, to tell them that their phone numbers may have been discovered by the girls."
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