Shane's Interviews

Shane In Too Deep Interview Official Magzine issue #5 How do you feel right now Shane? I'm very well thank you. Very happy. We're just at the end of the UK tour and I'm looking forward to going home. We've got a holiday coming up, ten days off, and I'm going to chill out at home, then go somewhere very hot! What are the best things about your life now? The tour, I suppose. It's what we always wanted to do/ Like, forever! I'm just generally enjoying the band. We can see things getting better on every level, we can see things building in every country. It's great. Everything is going the way we hoped. And how do you feel outside the band? I'm very happy in my life at the moment. My family are very happy and healthy, thanks to be God. And of course I'm starting on the house now, and I can't wait to get it built. Have there been any problems along the way? No, there were stories about my being refused planning permission, but that's rubbish. I had my planning application in six months ago and it just came back two months ago - but that's an average wait, I think. We got the go-ahead to build. I would have been surprised and disappointed if there had been problems because it's 100% on our own land, and we're not blocking the view or light for anyone else. Have you laid the foundation stone yet? No, but we're pegging out the ground to start on the foundations so you can see where it's going to be. It's starting to take shape. Now it just has to rise up to become our home! What, in life, are you less than 100% happy with? Nah, everything's good, except I'm getting frustated waiting for the house. I don't like waiting, and we're behind schedule because we had to do some re-do drawings because of the stonework. I just want to get my mum and dad out there because it's my thank you to them for everything. I mean, I'll probably live there for a few years yet, but it's their home at the end of the day. Now, back to work. Are you worried Hearsay will steal Westlife's fans? I suppose everybody is a threat to an extent, and we always have to watch what's coming up behind us, of course. But it would be boring if there were no new bands around. Hearsay's market is pop, but they'll have a different appeal to us, because they're a boy/girl band. Good luck to 'em, I say. Do you ever wonder what life would be like without all this? Without Westlife? I do, yeah, sometimes. I think "Well, what would I be doing if I wasn't in the band?" I'd probably be in college, or in other some job wishing that I was in the band. Are you happy with the way people treat you? In general we are. The people around us - our tour manager and security - treat us very well. Our manager Louis and record company we get on well with. Most people outside our immediate sphere are alright but every now and then you'll get fellas coming up to you in the street and giving you a hard time. They're probably just jealous. I just don't let it get to me. Do you feel more under threat since Kian was attacked? I was shocked more than everything. I never felt that kind of antagonism at home before. And Kian isn't the type to go and start fights, so it could be easily have been myself or Mark instead. I felt sorry for Kian then. I was very surprised and it put a damper on our big homecoming shows at The Point. But I know this much, it won't stop us going home. Do your family treat you the same as before? My family treat me totally the same as before. But they are very proud of what we've done, and we don't see them enough. At the moment my mum will have my favourite dinner waiting for me as soon as I get in the door. I think they're all happy to see me more than everything else. What about your brothers and sisters? They've been very supportive as well. I could have a good talk to any of the six, I have a load of people I can turn to if I have any problems, between my family and my four best mates. Do your mates understand what your life is like? Yeah, I think they do now, I brought them out on tour a couple of times. It's good to be able to show them what Westlife is like, so they can understand I'm not trying to be flash when I talk about it. I get up in the morning and do interviews, and then we go up the motorway. It's not glamorous, but it's all good. I'm really glad they're still the same toward me... Shane, do you think you're still the same person? No, I've changed. I think it's inevitable. Not in a bad way. My outlook in live has changed, I can do things I could never do before and I can buy things I would never be able to buy otherwise. It's not a normal 21 year old's life, is it? You see how the world turns, the amount of stuff that goes on behind the scenes, all the bull. But it's better to understand it than to be naive. How does it feel to be voted pop's most attractive man? I don't know! We won so many awards last year as a band it felt odd to win that couple extra for just myself! I was grateful of course, but I'm not the kind of person who's gonna show my mates every time they come round to the house. My mother loves it, though! Obviously it's nice to win awards like that, but it can feel a bit embarrassing. Did the other lads tease you? I thought the other lads would slag me off about it more than they did. After I won one of the trophies I fell asleep and they all drew over my face, covered me in lovehearts and lines. I was a mess, and I didn't know. When I woke up I stepped into the hotel lift and saw my face in the mirror. They were like "Urgh! Who's most fanciable male now?" If you want advice on tour who do you go to? It depends what I need to talk about. If it's about a girl I'll speak to any of the lads, maybe Kian or Nicky. Actually Mark is always really good to talk to because the other lads will tell you to do anything; say "Go on, it's fine", whereas Mark will say "Are you sure, do you think so?", I can talk to Paul our security an awful lot and Anto. Everybody has got a specialised subject. Shane, would you like to comment on the newspaper stories about you and the girl in the car... Yeah. Do you know who that girl is? That girl is my sister, Mairead. That actually proves what a lot of rubbish the newspapers will write when they want to. I drove to The Point in Dublin with Mairead and they took the picture somewhere in the car park. I've got glasses and a hat on and she's wearing a hat, so I suppose it looks like we're hiding, but believe me, we're not. What did Mairead think of the photo? She laughed. She brought the paper to me about five days later and pointed at the headline 'the girl who revs Shane's engine'. Ridiculous. So did they get it wrong about you dating Kian's cousin Gillian then? Myself and Gillian are very good friends. I have seen her on and off, and I have dated her before. She's a nice girl but to be honest, I don't think she's the one. Seriously.

from Cosmopolitan Magazine Issue March 2002 Shane Filan... on weird fans, top turn-ons and staying faithful What do you find sexiest about your girlfriend Gillian? Everything! She's the perfect package. She's not like a glamorous, glitzy model, she's just unbelievably funny and cute, exactly what I want in a girl. Being surrounded by so many gorgeous women, do you ever get tempted to stray? Never! I'm very honest and very faithful, although people probably don't believe I am. Even if I've only been with someone for two weeks, I've always been faithful. I think being unfaithful is the worst way you can treat a girl - I'd rather ring up and break it off that night than cheat on someone. What's the most romantic gesture you've made? Gillian's been studying for her final exams recently and one night she was feeling down and missing me. I'd been away for two weeks and on my night off I flew back to Dublin, borrowed a car and drove three hours to see her. She couldn't believe it when I turned up with a bunch of flowers! Describe your perfect romantic evening... We'd stay in and I'd cook Gillian spaghetti bolognese. She'd be in silky pyjama bottoms and a tracksuit top and we'd just hang out and watch a video. I don't like going out for dinner because fans come up to me so it's hard to have a romantic evening. I'd rather have the privacy and just be the two of us. Aside from your mouth, where do you most like to be kissed? Behind my ears, just on my neck - that's quality! Which sounds most appealing - sex in a field or sex on the beach? I've never done either so I don't know which is best, but I'd say a field would definitely be less messy. What's the biggest turn on ever? I love short skirts and great legs with stilettos! What's your sexiest feature? I don't know why but women say I have nice hands. Which Westlife song do you feel sexiest singing? 'What Makes A Man' - it's got balls! It's a very masculine kind of song, not just the name of it, but the way I sing it. What's your weirdest experience with a fan? Once a fan pulled down my trousers in the street. She literally ripped them off and I was left standing in the boxers in the middle of Dublin. That's the worst thing that's ever happened to me. Tell me about your last good dream... We sang for the Pope in the Vatican before Christmas and I've had brilliant dreams about that. My mum is really religious and she went with us - for her it was like the best present ever, one money couldn't buy. It was so exciting! What's your first thought when you wake up in the morning? 'Oh no, how long have I got to get ready?' There's always someone shouting 'You're late!' We're never, ever early. (Cosmo can vouch for that - Westlife were 1 ½ hours late for this photoshoot.) What was the last text message you sent? I sent one yesterday to Gillian saying, 'I love you and miss you and I'll call you in a couple of hours'. Typed By: Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

Issue 6 - Hotmail with Shane Do you get on OK with Bryan? Of course! In fact, Bryan and I have been writing songs together, just the two of us. We're pretty well-matched on a singing/songwriting level, and we've come up with some good stuff! If you could have one wish, what would it be? I have more than I could even have imagined a couple of years ago, so just the usual things; like health for the people around me. Oh yeah, and I hope to have a great birthday on Thursday. I'm going out for dinner with my family, and me mates. I'm going to let my hair down! Did I see you driving down the Kings Road in Chelsea in March? (Much mirth later) Er, I don't think so! Maybe in a hire car but not in my own. I never bring the cars over to London when I'm there, so I just drive them when I'm at home. In fact, I hardly ever drive my cars, I'm sorry to say! And the insurance costs a fortune! Who's your best friend in the group? It depends. I go to everyone from time to time. Each person has their own point of view. I can talk to any of them, y'know, we've always had a great relationship with each other. If I'm asking about girls, mmn, I dunno! Maybe I just keep asking for opinions til I find the advice I most want to hear! Are you building up a collection of souvenirs from around the world? Not really any more, because I've been to nearly every country and I couldn't take home souvenirs from everywhere - I'd have no room left in me house! If I find something nice I'll maybe take it home for my dad or my sisters. I bring back pictures and things, monuments and relics, stuff that I can fit in my suitcase. I brought back different hats and trainers from the far east and things from Padre Pio's place in Italy. Not much to be honest. Souvenirs are just more stuff to trail around. What do your brothers and sisters think of your success? I have a great relationship with all my family although I don't get to see them as much as I'd like. They're behind me all the way and I think they're quite proud of what Westlife have achieved in the same way I'm proud of what they've done. We all stick together. In some ways it's good that I'm away so much cos then I get excited when I see them. Do you have a secret girlfriend? No, I don't! I think my most serious relationship was about a year before the band. I went out with that girl for about a year. Since the band I've just been having fun, going out with one girl for a couple of months and then seeing someone else. Nothing too serious, thanks be to God. Not yet. Do you think you are good at writing songs? Yeah, definitely. I do. I think I click most with Bryan and we seem to be doing pretty well at writing songs and writing the melodies in particular. We're definitely getting further than I thought we would. Would you like to be able to play an instrument? Yeah, I'd love to be able to play the guitar and piano - I'm learning to play guitar and I want to get more into that. I haven't much time at the mo though, so we'll have to see how that goes. What's the worst thing that has been written about you? I don't really know. I was in a wheelchair supposedly about a month ago which wasn't very nice - I had apparently hurt my back. It's not so bad for me personally cos I obviously know straight away what's true and what isn't - but my family might get a shock or whathaveyou when they first read a bad story. Whose opinion matters to you most? Ah my mother's, of course! My mother always gives me the best advice and the best compliments. She isn't phased by all the music industry stuff. As long as I get the compliments from my mum I don't mind what everyone else says! That's the most important sign of approval. Did the girls in your class at school fancy you? I didn't have any girls in my class - I went to an all boys school! So erm, no. But I'm happy to say I was quite lucky with the girls in Sligo. There was never a shortage of a girl to take out! Typed By Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

from TOTP Magazine Issue December 2001 CHARGE: POP PERVING AND OGLING 23.12 Mr Filan was potted lurking outside the window of a semi-naked young lady. Resisting arrest, the suspect had to be dragged into custody kicking and screaming. PERSONAL DETAILS Full name: SHANE STEVEN FILAN Alias: TRIGGER, PC DOB: 5 July 1979 Height: 1.75cm Natural hair colour: Brown Status: single Next of kin: mother and father, Mae and Peter Star sign: Cancer Distinguishing marks: scar on head, considerable body hair, laughter lines Mother's maiden name: MacNicholas Personal effects: £20 (for emergencies), Keys, phone Please note, anything you say or sing may be used in evidence against you in a court of pop law. For security reasons, this interview is being recorded! PREVIOUS OFFENCES PEEPING TOM: I remember peeking in a girl's bedroom just as she started undoing her trousers. Unfortunately the windowsill got in the way and I couldn't see anything! Then, just before she removed her top, she pulled the blind down, ha-ha! HABITUAL HEARTBREAKING: I had a new girlfriend every week when I was a teenager! I was never into relationships. When I was about 14, if I was with one girl, I'd always end up going out with three or four of her friends too, one after the other. PERSISTENT PEEPING: When I was younger I used to flick straight to the lingerie section in my mum's catalogues. I thought it was deadly. That was my first glimpse of real women, ha-ha! UNSANITARY UNDERCRACKERS: I went away for a three- day rugby tournament once and forgot to pack my boxer shorts. I had to wear the same pair day in, day out - even during the matches. They even smelt after a while. CRIMINALLY CHOOSY: I love good-looking girls with long legs who wear short skirts and high heels. I can't stand girls with open-toed shoes where you can see their tights. I hate big-headed girls and girls who talk too much. I'm fussy coz girls are very important to me - I have to get the right one! SUSPECTED POP ACCOMPLICES Ronan has been a great support to us. He's always telling us what we're doing right and what needs changing. Ronan's there whenever we need him - he even helped Nicky buy his first car! When we met Backstreet Boys I thought they wouldn't even talk to us, but they were the nicest band ever. They were so cool! HOW DO YOU PLEAD? Nicky and Georgina have been together for years, which is deadly. I don't know how he does it. In a way I'd like that myself. I'd like a girlfriend but I think it would be really hard. I do worry about it - needing to find a wife in ten years time or whatever - definitely. VERDICT Wearing the same underpants for three days? Come on! Guilty! SENTENCE Never has a specimen of such depravity skulked into the TOTP court as this seemingly harmless Irish gentleman. Mr Filan, your criminal record is a long sleazy list of vice and sin. You say you've changed but, frankly, we don't believe you. For the benefit of women world over and your own, we hereby sentence you to spend five years in a department store, fitting elderly ladies with maximum-support big pants and girdles! That should make you think twice about taking advantage of helpless females. DO YOU HAVE A LAST REQUEST? I'd like to wake up in the countryside, have a big breakfast out on the patio in front of a lake, then go for a stroll and just relax. Then I'd go horse riding, have a big dinner with a few glasses of red wine, then go to bed and snuggle up. CASE CLOSED Typed By: Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone