hanging on the phone with Nicky Byrne
Meet Nicky Byrne of Irish boy band Westlife, whose album Westlife is out now. His girlfriend Georgina is the daughter of Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Ahern. We got him on the phone for a bit of blarney.
What time did you get up?
Half-eight, a kind of a lie-in for us. Sometimes we're up at four to catch a flight. We just came in from Hong Kong, so we're a bit jet-lagged. I'm probably the easiest to get out of bed out of us all because I used to play for Leeds United. If we weren't up at eight, we were fined and stuff.
Who is the first person you spoke to today?
My girlfriend. I rang Georgina at eight when I woke up. We had a laugh because I spoke to her last night and I was so tired I fell asleep on the phone. She just had to hang up. She's tremendous. We've been together for five years. She and my mam are my backbone. I love what I do, but it's a difficult life, always travelling.
Where are you right now?
In my room at the Malmaison Hotel in Glasgow. We've got a gig here tonight. The room is quite nice, although the bed is very high, a lot higher than I've ever slept in before. There's not much of a view, but I see a lot of hotel rooms and this one is fine. And we don't have to share, we have a room each, which is great.
What are you wearing?
A black V-neck sleeveless top and a pair of tracksuit bottoms. What make is the top? I'll just go check for you. It's Dolce & Gabbana. The bottoms are baggy and green, with a big kind of dragon on the back of my left leg. The name of them is Hiroshima. I got them in Germany. That's one of the advantages of travelling, you get to buy different stuff. No shoes, I'm giving my trainers a breather. They need it.
What's your most recent purchase?
I love treating people. I spend an awful lot on my mam, my dad, my brother, my sister and my girlfriend. It's great to be able to do it. I bought a little present for Georgina in Glasgow today, but obviously I can't tell you what it is. I hope she likes it.
When was the last time you were drunk?
I was a bit merry in Sydney last Saturday. But the last time I was very drunk, really really drunk was on my 21st birthday party in Dublin on October 17th. I was drinking Heineken. To be honest with you I don't remember how many I had. There were about 600 people there all dressed for a 60's and 70's night. The rest of the guys dressed up as the Beatles; I was Elvis Presley.
What's the most recent domestic thing you've done?
To be honest with you now, I've never ironed in my life. I can't do it. As for cooking, we're always in hotels. I haven't even made myself a cup of tea for a couple of days. Now, hang on, hang on. There were a couple of stains on my jumper, so I rubbed it with a face cloth. It worked perfectly.
What's the last thing you put in your mouth?
I actually have my wire from the earpiece of my mobile phone in my mouth right now. Food? We just had a Kentucky Fried Chicken. I feel stuffed. I don't usually eat fast food.
When did you last have a snog?
Two weeks ago, when I was home in Dublin for an awards show. Georgina came out with me and afterwards we had a good old snog. She's a brilliant snogger. The best. Definitely. We're very romantic.
When did you last cry?
My cousin was killed in a car crash last February. I was in a pretty bad state then. It was just a couple of weeks after his 21st birthday. He was involved in a head on collision with a police car. I've been to funerals before but never, ever for anyone so young. It was somehow much worse.
What are you going to do what you hang up?
I'm going to have a shower and a shave and freshen myself up for the show, then meet up with the rest of the boys downstairs. We've to leave at half four for the arena. Performing is the best part of it. It's what I'm all about, it' what the band's all about, to get out there in front of thousands of people and really go for it!
