WESTLIFE NEWS

ARCHIVE January 2002

February 2002

Sunday Westlife thrills!  17/2/02  Have you seen today's 'News Of The World'? The newspaper's gone Westlife crazy!! There's an amazing picture of the guys with their mums, next to some very exciting news - they reckon Westlife are going to win Best Pop Act at the Brits, for the second year running! Don't know about you, but Westlife.com have never been more excited about the Brits... and we can't wait to find out the results. Of course, this will be the best place to hear from Westlife and whatever the result, we'll still love 'em... but go win, win, win! What an exciting Westlife week it's going to be. 'World Of Our Own' hits all good record shops on Monday morning, and let's hope it's the guys' tenth number one. Can you imagine it, Brits winners and tenth number one all in the space of one week? It's almost too much!! Good luck this week guys, from all your fans at Westlife.com. from westlife.com

Kittens' Kerry in Hospital for Ops  17/2/02 EXCLUSIVE Star's stomach agony EX-Atomic Kitten star Kerry Katona was rushed to hospital after collapsing in agony with stomach pains. Kerry, who now presents the Channel 5 showbiz programme Exclusive, had to have an emergency operation to remove a huge cyst after being admitted to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London. Kerry, 21 - who gave birth to daughter Molly in August - was released on Thursday after a five-day stay. Her pop star husband, Westlife heart-throb Bryan McFadden, 21, said last night: "Kerry was in a lot of pain - and I'm very relieved it's all over. "The operation has been a complete success and she's slowly starting to get back on her feet. "But she is going to need to take at least a month off work to recover." Kerry and Bryan married last month at a star-studded ceremony at Slane Castle, Ireland. She is said to have first begun feeling unwell on their luxury honeymoon on the paradise Indian Ocean island of Mauritius. Although she continued with the honeymoon and returned home safely to Britain, the pains suddenly grew worse. At 2am last Saturday the pair called an ambulance to the exclusive Conrad Hotel in Chelsea Harbour, London, where they are staying while Westlife are on tour. Kerry was taken to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where she was immediately seen by leading consultant gynaecologist Mr Michael Stafford. She was admitted to a single room in the private wing and underwent two separate operations. It is believed the problem stemmed from the birth of Molly. Kerry endured an 18-hour labour before the baby arrived weighing 8lb 2oz. Hormone changes during pregnancy can lead to problems including ovarian cysts. The singer-turned TV presenter was visited by members of her family who travelled down from Warrington, Cheshire, to be by her side. Other visitors included her best friend and former Atomic Kitten bandmate Natasha Hamilton. Kerry - who had left the girl band to have Molly - was replaced by current Kitten Jenny Frost. Kerry and Bryan usually live at a seven-bedroom mansion in Ireland's County Wicklow. But they are in Britain while Westlife - who are up for a handful of Brit Awards - tour the UK to promote their new single World Of Our Own. from Sunday Mirror

Westlife to Scoop Best Pop Act  17/2/02 WESTLIFE TO SCOOP BEST POP ACT AT BRIT AWARDS 2002 WESTLIFE are set to scoop Best Pop Act at the Brits - for the second year runnning. And next week the Irish heart-throbs are expected to score their 10th no1 hit with WORLD OF OUR OWN, which is released tomorrow. The band will be the first-ever act to train the title, voted for by music fans. Bryan McFadden told the News of the World: "It was great to win best Pop Act one, but to do it again is absolutely brilliant." And according to Bryan and the other Westlife lads, their success is all down to...the mums. As mother's Day on march 10 approaches, they sign the praises of the women who helped make them superstars. Kian Egan says his mum, Patricia, set him on the road to stardom. "Since i was four, when she put me in a poetry competition, she's been running me around. She's brilliant." He showed his thanks by buying Patricia a seven-bedroom dream home. But her most treasured gift is a little notebook he bought one Mother's Day. "He bought it when he was bout eight, so he could write, 'Mum, I love you inside" she explained. Shane Filan's mum, Mae, helped Westlife get their first record deal, spending months perstering boyzone manager Louis Walsh to listen to a demo tape. SWEETS "My mum has been a hug part of our success" he said. Nicky Byrne's mum, Yvonne, is always thrre with cool, calm advice. he said "She is always full of encouragement". Yvonne says Nicky has showered her with Mother's Day presents since he was youngster. "He would save his pocket money for weeks to buy me flowers or sweets." Bryan McFadden says of his mum, Mairead, "She's always help out anyone except herself," he said. And Mairead chipped in: "If Bryan only had a pound in his pocker he'd buy something for me or his sister." Mark Feehily descrobes his mum Marie as "the most dedicated person I know". Marie said, "Mark has always put a lot of thought into buying presents. Now the fans are showered the lads with gifts too...their votes in the Brits! from News of the World

Surgeons Remove Football-Sized Cyst  17/2/02 POP bride Kerry Katona had emergency surgery to remove a cyst the size of a football from one of her ovaries. The ex-Atomic Kitten star was rushed to London's Chelsea and Westminister Hospital on Monday. Kerry, who wed Westlife star Bryan McFadden last month, had a bloated stomach. Doctors removed the non-maligant cyst and she went on home on Thursday. The 21-year-old blonde presenter of Channel 5's Exclusive showbiz show - was comforted in hospital by Bryan. His mum, Mairead flew from Dublin to their London home to look after their five-month-old baby, Molly. Bryan, 21, told the News Of The World: "Kerry cannot walk and will be off work a month. But she is on the road of recovery. The cyst was the size of a football and it's going to take a time to get over." A friend said, "It was traumatic. Kerry was working in London when she began suffering severe pains. "Bryan was a tower of strength. He has a very busy schedule at the moment because Westlife's new single World Of Our Own is out on Monday. "But he dropped everything for Kerry. She is everything to him. "Kerry is in a bad way but she will make a fully recovery." WORRIED. "She is terribly worried that the operation may make it different for them to have more children." But Sunday magazine doctor Hilary Jones said: "The ovary will be stretched beyond recognition by a cyst this size and will almost certainly be removed, along with the fallopian tube. "But that still leaves the woman with another perfectly good ovary and fallopian tube. It should only reduce her ferility by two per cent." Kerry and Bryan wed in a glittering £100,000 ceremony in County Meath. They live in a £1 million home in Delgany, County Wicklow, and have a flat in Chelsea.

MSN Chat  16/2/02 For those who've missed the chat! Here's the link of MSN webchat: http://www.msn.co.uk/specials/westlife/westlifechat/default.asp

Kian + Mark looking for love  16/2/02 All you single London ladies would have done well to hit the town last night as there were two very lonely popstars out on the prowl for a Valentine's Day snog! Our intrepid reporter bumped into none other than Kian and Mark Westlife backstage at the Pops and the lovelorn lovelies told us that they were feeling in need of some romantic action. Kian said: "Me and Mark are the single ones so I think we're going to go out tonight and have a bit of a laugh. We don't know where we're going. We'll head somewhere where there's loads of single girls 'cos it's Valentine's Night and it's not good to be lonely on Valentine's Night, you know!" But what we really want to know now is, did either of them strike it lucky? Come on Kian, give us a call and put us out of our misery! from bbc.co.uk/totp

World Of Our Own Review  16/2/02 Westlife : World Of Our Own In which some already colossally wealthy and famous Irish fellas try to further maximise their market reach. Sorry, did we say that? We meant sing a little song and make lots of simple people very happy. After much lab research, someone's obviously decided that a mild foray into uptempo, soulful rock waters is what's called for to get the older sisters hooked. The phrase 'doing a Bryan Adams', might have been deployed at some point. And so the charmed Peter Pans of pop rasp and croon their way through this pleasant enough tune, calculating how much of Ireland it can pay for. We hear Dublin's getting very expensive, perhaps that's why Westlife need a whole world of their own. Good luck to 'em. Kitty Empire from nme.com

BRIT AWARDS FIX ?? 16/2/02  WESTLIFE were at the centre of a Brit Awards vote-rigging scandal last night. A probe was launched after almost 1,000 telephone votes for Best Pop Act were traced to just three numbers. Organisers informed the band's label BMG Records home of their guru, Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell of the irregularities. Awards bosses monitoring the phone votes spotted that nearly 500 calls came from one landline. Over 300 votes came from one mobile number and 100 from another, believed to belong to a Westlife supporter. The phone-vote lines were set up to allow viewers of TV's CD:UK and readers of The Sun to vote for Westlife, Kylie Minogue, Blue, S Club 7 or Hear' Say in that category. The multiple votes have now been discounted but insiders say Westlife are still miles ahead in the race to win the gong at the bash in London next Wednesday. One Brits source admitted: a scandal. We noticed that there were hundreds of calls coming from the same numbers. We couldn't believe it. We don't know who was doing it, but the three numbers stood out so it wasn't very subtle. The organisers spotted it straight away and acted very quickly. It's a public vote and it has been abused. A BMG Records spokesman said:If anyone is caught multi-voting, we know the Brits will remove them so the best artist wins on the night. The system is fair. Westlife's Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, Bryan McFadden and Nicky Byrne  won the award last year. Three years ago, obscure Scottish indie band Belle and Sebastian pipped Steps to the Best Newcomer gong after an email and phone voting scandal. The star-studded Brits bash takes place at Earl's Court, West London. Stars appearing will include Sting, Jamiroquai and Ali G. Hosted by TV's Frank Skinner and DJ Zoe Ball, it's the entrepiece of the British pop industry calendar.

World of Our Own is released on Monday! 16/2/02 New single World of Our Own is released on Monday 18th 2002!! Let's make this single Westlife's biggest yet! Two different versions of the single will be available. The tracklisting details are: CD1(Enhanced) 1. World of Our Own (Single Remix) 2. Crying Girl 3.Angel(Remix) CD-Rom Video: World of Our Own CD2(Enhanced) 1. World of Our Own (Single Remix) 2. I Promise You That CD-Rom Video: Angel Buy it from Monday!!

Westlife Talks about Valentine's Day  15/2/02 Nicky Westlife on what his girlfriend thinks about him... 'She thinks I'm sweet, kind romantic...and smelly!! I dunno, maybe she thinks I'm generous and kind, and loving and caring. Maybe she doesn't!!' Westlife's Valentine's advice for popworld readers: 'To the guys be as romantic as you can be because you can never go over the top. Girls love all that kind of thing. If it's dinner, flowers, chocolates, a weekend away, even a flower picked from the garden they love all that stuff. To the girls give the romance back. Fellas get overlooked but if a girl takes a fella out for dinner and pays that can be quite a nice surprise! not her.' Shanes Westlife's valentine's message to you! 'Just have a great time whatever you do. The last thing you should do is break it off with somebody because the will remember it for the rest of their lives.' Mark Westlife valentine's message to you! 'I hope everyone enjoys their Valentine's Day and is as close as possible to the position that they want to be on that day! Oh dear, that can be taken in the wrong way. I hope that as many people as possible are as happy as possible Valentine´s Day can be sometimes a bad experience if you´re not in the right relationship.' Kian on why he doesn't have a g/f... 'I dunno really. The last girl I was seeing couldn´t stand what I did. It was all really appealing, y'know seeing one of the guys from Westlife, but when it came down to the crunch, say I'd be going to a party, and she couldn't go with me cos I'd be there for work reasons she'd be really ticked off. Then not wanting to hold hands walking down the street, that really ticked her off, the travelling around the world all the time, she couldn't stand it. I think it's not really my choice. I think if I find someone that understands what I do, then I´ll probably stay with them but nobody can really understand what I do. It's very hard.' from popworld.com

Westlife Slam Pop Track   15/2/02 Westlife have dismissed Will Young's new single as weak. The Irish boyband, who recorded the track 'Evergreen' for their most recent album, say they would never have chosen to release it as a single. Westlife singer Bryan McFadden describes the track as "the weakest" on the band's third album 'World Of Our Own'. "When we recorded it, it just wasn't a contender for our singles,"explained bandmate Kian Egan. Pop Idol winner Will is currently in Cuba, recording the video for his debut single. The double A-side, 'Evergreen/Anything Is Possible', is released on February 25. from dotmusic.com

A Romantic Meal with Kian  14/2/02 A date of his own.. It´s getting close to Valentine´s Day and what better way to spend the smoochiest day of the year than over a romantic meal with a lush companion? This week, POPWORLD asks Kian Westlife who he would choose as his hot date, and what´d be on the menu... What would you choose as your meal, and who would cook it? I´d probably start with a mozzarella salad with vinegrette dressing, 'cos I like that. Then either a tuna steak or some pasta, perhaps a carbonara - though I make a very good spaghetti bolognese. so maybe I should do the cooking! We´d finish with strawberries and ice cream, 'cos that's a romantic dessert. What would the perfect romantic setting? It would have to be a candlelit dinner on the beach somewhere in the Caribbean. Describe the scene... It wouldn´t necessary be in a restaurant. But if it was, the tables would be very spread out and we'd have one on the beach. What would you wear for the meal, and what would you want your date to wear? I'd dress up, 'cos it's a special day and all. I've got thos lovely pair of tailored grey trousers and a nice black Dolce & Gabbana shirt which is quite fitted, with some cufflinks and a silver tie. As for my date, she could wear whatever she felt most comfortable in. Would you take a gift? It'd depend on how well I know her - sometimes you can overimpress. I think a red rose would be a nice gift. But I don´t think Valentine's Day is for gifts - it's more a day for showing affection. Who'd be your ideal date? I don´t have a celebrity answer - my ideal date would be someone who's fun, who I could have a nice conversation with. What would you talk about? Just everyday things. I´d ask about the job that she does and things that she likes - just a 'see how it goes' type of conversation! And after dinner? If the weather was warm, we'd go for a walk on the beach and just continue to get to know each other. Then maybe we'd go to a bar for a few drinks. Would you pay, or split the bill? I'd do whatever would make her feel comfortable. I'd normally pay, but if my date wasn't happy with that, I'd split the bill. How would you leave things? If we got on very well and the vibe was good, I'd give her a kiss and say goodnight. Would you call her later? Yeah. I think it's good to call two days later, because it shows that you're keen but not overly keen - sometimes people feel a bit threatened by that. If it went well, yeah, I'd call two days later. from popworld.com

Valentine's message from the boys 14/2/02 This is Westlife and we would just like to wish everyone a very Happy Valentine's Day. We hope you are having as special a day as we are and thank you to everyone who has sent us cards and gifts. A big thank you also to everyone who logged onto the MSN webchat we had last night - it was a huge success. See you all soon on our European tour. Lots of love, Westlife xxxxx

WESTLIFE DISMISS POP IDOL SONG  13/2/02 Irish popstars Westlife have dismissed the song chosen for the Pop Idol winner as one of the "weakest" on their album. Will Young will release Evergreen, an album track from the boyband's last album A World of Our Own, as part of a double A-side single in a fortnight. However the group, who share the same management team as the Pop Idol star, said the song is not up to scratch. Singer Bryan McFadden told GMTV: "It's one of the weakest songs on our album." His point was echoed by bandmate Kian Egan who said: "When we heard the song at first we always new it was going to be a great song, but when we recorded it just wasn't a contender for our singles."

Westlife's Bryan - 'Simon Cowell thinks  13/2/02 Westlife's Bryan - 'Simon Cowell thinks I'm fat' from ananova.com Bryan McFadden says Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell phoned him on his honeymoon to tell him he needed to lose weight. The Westlife singer was staying in Mauritius with new bride Kerry Katona. He says Simon told him he looked fat in his wedding photos. "I told him that's the way I am," he said in an interview with GMTV. "I'm not going to have any liposuction. He couldn't ruin my honeymoon." And band mate Kian says they think Will Young's version of the band's track Evergreen will be a hit. The Pop Idol winner is releasing the single on February 25. "We always knew it was going to be a great song," Kian said. "It was never a contender for us to release as a single but with Will I'm sure it will do really well."

Westlife fail to top Irish Chart 13/2/02 With just a week to go before the big Westlife and Kylie Minogue UK singles chart showdown, Shane Filan and the boys have been dealt something of a confidence blow. Westlife's A World Of Its Own single entered Ireland's official chart at a disappointing No. 3 on February 10th, behind non-movers Enrique Iglesias and Eurodance combo Gigi D'Agostino. This is rather worrying news for the boys, as their previous pair of hits both entered the Irish charts at No. 1. February 18th will see Westlife go head-to-head with Kylie, who's hoping to match the success of her mega-selling Can't Get You Out Of My Head single with In Your Eyes, which is currently topping the UK's pre-release chart.

Westlife Wants to go West!  13/2/02 The boyband's next stop is musician's promised land, America, and it is confident of making it big despite a previous failed attempt. Westlife fans, prepare to scream - again. Your Irish idols heard you shrieking your support for them loud and clear at the Singapore Indoor Stadium during the first MTV Asia Awards last Saturday. So they will be back later this year for their third full - blown concert here. Their last one was in May last year. In a one - on - five interview at the Four Seasons Hotel last week, the band's co-founder and lead singer Shane Filan, 22, said: "We're talking to our agents about a Singapore gig in August or, failing that, a definite one in October." The band's co-founder and leader Kian Egan, 21, said: "Asia in general is a very special place for us because our biggest sales are down here." Small wonder, then, that Westlife was named the region's Favourite International Pop Act at last Saturday's extravaganza. But before the group gets all hot and sweaty in Singapore again, it will try in July to break into the market that every Irish outfit since U2 has been dreaming of cracking. Indeed, despite holding the Guinness Book of World Records for the most consecutive No.1 singles in the history - seven (these were in the British charts) - mentioning Westlife to Americans will earn you a blank stares in the market that matters most, at least where record sales are concerned. Cheeky Nicky Bryne, 23, said: "We've never performed properly over there, luv. The first time we tried to make it over there was the summer after promoting our first album in Britain, Europe and Asia in 2000, but we did not have as many good songs as we do now on our new album." The album in question is World Of Our Own, Westlife's third, which had sold more than 45,000 in Singapore in two months since it was released worldwide last November. That equals to triple platinum. It has also gone six times platinum in Indonesia and twice platinum in Malaysia. Sales in Asia alone now total one million copies. www.ananova.com

Birrova break!  12/2/02 from TV HITS Magazine Issue March 2002 Where've the guys been recently - and who with? Nicky - Mauritius In his all too rare days off, Nicky made a beeline for the fabulous, hot and tropical Caribbean Island of Grenada, with his gorge girlfriend, Georgina! Shane - Maldives Shane's just spent two weeks relaxing in the beautiful Maldives with his girlfriend Gillian! Ooo, ain't she just the lucky one! Bryan - Mauritius After the pop wedding of 2002, Bryan, Kerry and baby Molly went to Mauritius on honeymoon! Prob was a cyclone cut it short, so they came home early! Kian - Florida Kian jetted off to the warmer climes of Florida with his mates! Hope he got us a prezzie! Mark - Sligo Good ol' Mark decided to stay in Sligo on his days off and spend it chillin' with his family and friends. Awh! Typed by Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

Behind the Scenes @ The Pepsi Chart Show  12/2/02 from TV HITS Magazine Issue March 2002 Oi you lot! Come and have a shufti behind the scenes at The Pepsi Chart Show! It might've been jam-packed with popsters when we shimmied backstage at Channel 5's PEPSI CHART SHOW recently, but it was still freezing! The WESTLIFE lads kept their coats and woolLy hats on during their sound check in the chilly studio - but it didn't stop BRYAN from showing off his tanned tummy (and huge new wedding ring) to the show's host, ABBIE EASTWOOD. NO DOUBT warmed up by tucking into some hot nosh, while MARK A1 nipped off to buy PAUL a birthday prezzie. "I got him a wicked JIM MORRISON (Hippy singer from the 60s) statue thing," he beamed when he returned. "He's gonna love it!" Just before getting on-stage, O-TOWN and WESTLIFE chilled out by catching up on the latest footie action on telly screens backstage. Between SHANE, NICKY and KIAN's screams of "Come on Man U," ASHLEY came over for a quick chat to da HITS. "I'm a big soccer fan," he 'fessed. "I used to play all the time at high school, but I don't know much about the British Teams. What's this Man U?" Blimey - is there really someone in this world who hasn't heard of Becks! Typed by Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

Brits Competition Update  11/2/02 We've had hundreds of your photos for the Brits competition with some really great shots. It's going to be tough judging the winners. If you haven't sent your photos in yet don't worry you've still got time to get them in to be in with a chance of winning one of those fab Mulberry Westlife passport holders. If you want to enter the competition just go and get the Westlife ecard. You can find a link to in the Westlife Supplies area in message boards. You can still vote for the lads in the Brits too, lines close tomorrow so go ahead and vote to help the guys win the award. For details on how to vote go to the message boards. from westlife.com

PARTY! 11/2/02  from TOTP Magazine Issue 84(feb 2002) All dressed up and nowhere to go? Worry not cos we're all off to WESTLIFE's place for one hundinger of a house party! Confession time! What's the most damage you've caused at a party? Shane: I broke a table at my mate's parents' gaff and I wasn't even drinking! His mum was very unhappy about it, but I got away with it cos he said he fell on it! Nicky: Touch wood I've never broken anything. I don't know why people do that - it's not nice. Bryan: In our first year, we did this show and I smashed up these doors cos I was really drunk. Kian: When we went to Tel Aviv with Five we ended up breaking a very expensive table! Mark: That was Five's last ever, ever gig, though we didn't know that at the time. We went clubbing later on that evening and ended up back at the hotel having a party. We all just went manic and the room was destroyed cos we were jumping on beds and climbing up and down the walls! When was the last time you threw a party at your own pad? Kian: I had a Christmas party and a house-warming at the same time in my new home. It wasn't like the parties I normally go to - it was a lot more relaxed with just a handful of people. Nicky: I had one a few months ago in my new house, too. My parties aren't very rowdy really. You don't believe me, do ya?! I just like to have my mates over for dinner and then have a load of drinks, so they're quite sophisticated really! Are you all house-proud Harrys? Nicky: Ha-ha! Well, if someone spills something, I won't show that it's bothering me, but inside I'll be cringing like mad! I've definitely inherited that from me mam. Although I have parties at mine, I spend most of the evening checking people are using the coasters and not messing up the place! Mark: I'd be house-proud in the way that I'd want everything to be clean before people came around. Would any of you take libs at someone else's house party? Kian: Bryan might help himself to drinks in the cupboard. I don't think he's a beast, but I think he doesn't really care about things like that - he's like, 'Well, if you're having a party, you shouldn't have all this stuff in the cupboard.' Nicky: We're probably all a bit guilty of that actually! Bryan's just generally mad! When Kian has some drink inside him, well, let's just say you have to keep your eye on him! Ok, you accidentally smash the host's fave wine glasses - what do you do? Shane: I'd hide them, definitely. Somewhere they would never find them like the bin, ha-ha! Then the next day, when they say, 'Our glasses have gone', I'd be like, 'No, really?' Nicky: I'd clean it up myself and then go and tell whoever's party it was and apologise to them. Accidents happen, you know - you can't help it! Kian: I suppose I'd have to buy them new ones. Maybe I'd leave it for that night, but come back the next day and say, 'Look, I broke your glasses. How much did they cost?' Anyone can have an accident, but if someone breaks my plates deliberately, I'd have to break a few plates over their heads! We're bursting for the loo, but one of you is locked in there with a girlie! Who is it? Mark: Not me cos I wouldn't need to do that sort of thing on the quiet. Also, I wouldn't feel comfortable if there were people waiting outside the door and trying to interrupt us as I like it when it's a bit more chilled out! Kian might do it though. Kian: I think Mark might do it! i don't think its ever happened, but he likes to keep everything a bit private! Shane: It's definitely not me! I'd say Mark, although he's more likely to get lost and just go missing with a girl. Bryan: Kian wouldn't care about leaving people outside bursting for a wee, ha-ha! Where's the strangest place you've had a wee then? Mark: I'm the kind of person that can't use just any toilet, although I can outside as long as it's just a number one, ha-ha! Bryan: I wee in lots of places. I peed in a bottle once cos I was desperate and we were driving around - I just had to go! We threw it out of the window. (Tsk!) After one too many glasses of pop punch, who's most likely to puke in the plant pot? Mark: I'd do something like that and I'd cover it up really fast - just throw up on the sly! Kian: I think we all probably have in the last couple of years. I think everybody that drinks has been sick somewhere they shouldn't have - maybe behind a curtain! If I was in somebody else's house, of course I'd never leave it - I'd clean it up. So where's the weirdest place you've been sick? Bryan: Into a pint glass in the back of a security van in Israel. One of the security guys had to hold my head up for me. Mark: Actually it wasn't too long ago. We'd stayed up all night and it was about half past eight in the morning and I was in the lift in my hotel with this older couple going down to breakfast. As the lift moved I just started barfing. It was so embarrassing! Nicky: To be honest, I've only ever actually been sick twice. Once was a New Year's Eve when I'd just turned 18 and the other time was after a big lads' night out a couple of years ago - ooh, I was rough the morning after! Tell us about the strangest bash you've ever been to. Mark: A lot of the ones we go to in Europe are quite weird cos they're a lot more open-minded over there - there are a lot more naked people! At one party in Norway, there were girls walking around with only sellotape over their busts! Bryan: I went to a party in Holland where all the girls had their tops off - that was cool! Shane: We went to this weird one where loads of fellas were dressed up as girls and you wouldn't know the difference between some of them! We left really quickly cos it was quite disturbing! What's the biggest regret you've ever had the morning after? Shane: It's always that I went out at all, ha-ha! Bryan: I often say the wrong thing to the wrong person at the wrong ime - I'm the king of that! Kian: I think every guy wakes up the morning after and goes, 'Nooo, I didn't do that!' There are plenty of times when I'll phone my mate and dread what he's going to tell me! Nicky: Well, I've never pulled a bird I shouldn't have because I've been with my girlfriend for seven years now! I'm sure I've said bad things, but normally my memory's so bad that I just can't remember! Which lad finds himself in the funniest situations? Mark: Funny things have happened to all of us. We'd never pick on someone, like we'd never shave anyone's eyebrows or anything like that - in this band, things like that are absolute no noes. Shane: Mark is very funny when he's out. He's very funny during the day, but an awful lot funnier at night! Kian: When we were at the Record of the Year party last year, Mark goes, 'Please let me crack your ear. Please,' and I was like, 'What do you mean?' Then he got hold of my ear and pulled it really hard until it cracked! Then he goes, 'Now do it to me! Do it to me!' Have the police ever turned up at a Westlife party? Shane: Yeah, I think they did once, but they just said to keep the noise down and that was about it. It was a long time ago and, to be honest with you, I haven't been to many house parties since joining the band. Nicky: I had a birthday party a few years ago and I think the neighbours got fed up with the noise. Well, they must have done cos then the police turned up and told us to turn it down. We did though, straightaway. Who'll heave who home at the end of the night? Mark: Erm, well, put it this way, each and every one of us is likely to be carried home at some stage of some night, but I reckon the person who's been carried home the most is Kian! Shane: We're all as bad as each other. It's one casualty per evening! The last one to be carried home was me when we went to the S Club 7 party and it was in the papers the next day - I looked so rough! Kian: Honestly? It's either me or Shane. Recently it's been Shane falling out of the night clubs and stuff! Bryan: He's not a lightweight, he's a heavyweight, but he just went too far and crossed over! Nicky: Bryan gets into trouble, but the boy's just a marvel at getting himself out of it as well! He's a really good talker - you'll go out for an evening and by the end of the night he's best mates with everyone in the bar! Is there a 'Lifer who doesn't know when to call it a day? Mark: I know when to call it a day, but it never reaches that day, ha-ha! Bryan knows when to go home - since Kerry had the baby he spends more time with them. Kian: Good question! It just seems to get very extreme with us, although Bryan fades easy - usually about 2am! Nicky: No matter how knackered we are, Mark will always be up for it. I think he just can't help himself - he can't bear to miss out in case it's a top night. Saying that though, if you get Kian and Shane out, you'll never get them home - they'll keep going until they fall over! Shane: It's me or Kian who are the ones who don't know when to stop. Nicky: Maybe we should have a competition to see who lasts the longest! Shane: I think I'd win that! Nicky: It would be a battle of the heavyweights - like Mike Tyson versus Lennox Lewis! Shane: I still think I'd win. Nicky: OK, I'll start selling the tickets! Typed By Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

Westlife Monthly By BRYAN 11/2/02 11:10 From TOTP Mags Issue 84(feb) Waltzing without wings! My wedding reception was at Slane Castle and Kerry and I gave each of our guests a special silver coin with our names engraved on it. Then everyone had another little surprise cos I got changed into top hat and tails and we both did a dance routine like Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire! That was grand! Over the (honey)moon! The best bit about getting married is the honeymoon - Kerry will kill me for saying that, ha-ha! We started off in Sun City, South Africa and then we went on to Mauritius. All we did was lounge in the sun and eat nice food - perfect! HEY, MICKEY! All the other lads have had time off, too. Shane, Nicky and Mark decided to take it easy and spend some time with friends and family at home. Kian was a bit more adventurous and booked himself a holiday to Florida. He loves it there - he's been loads of times. WHEN IN ROME! It was a strange experience being invited to a private audience with the Pope at the Vatican in Rome. We performed at his annual charity pop concert and our mums were so proud they came along to watch! Right up our aisle! Me and Kerry finally tied the knot on the fifth of January. It was amazing and Kerry looked stunning. Loads of our mates turned up to the ceremony, too, like TASH and LIZ KITTEN, LEE BLUE and RONAN KEATING. DANE BOWERS even sang in the church, which was cracking! Typed By: Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

Straight From The Heart! 11/2/02  from TOTP Mags Issue 84(feb) It's that time of year again when thousands of people across the country wait patiently by their letter box - only to receive declarations of love from their gran! But just how soft are pop peep when it comes to St Valentine's Day? Shane Westlife - "I can honestly say I've never, ever sent a valentine card to myself! That's a sick man!" Typed by Vicky Robinson http://clubs.yahoo.com/clubs/westlifefanszone

World of Our Own DVD and Video Single 11/2/02  World of Our Own DVD and Video Single Westlife's World of Our Own features the video, the making of the video and the studio recording of the song. As an extra special bonus, the video for 'Angel' is also included. During the ‘Making of' feature we get to see the Westlife lads introduce their supporting cast - the girls (of course!) and some doberman dogs. Along with director Cameron Casey, they explain the ideas behind their costumes and the stunning cityscape which was created for the video. The footage is 13 mins long and both the video and the dvd will be released on the 25th of Feb 2002.

READY FOR AMERICA 10/2/02 They’ve got the looks, the moves, the hooks and the grooves. And that winning mix has helped Westlife chalk up astounding album sales and no.1 singles in 25 countries in Asia, Europe and South America. Now the five Irish lads aim to take it one step further with their latest album, World Of Our Own. They are targeting the mother of all markets – America – in their quest of world domination. Westlife were in Singapore recently for the first MTV Asia Awards where they were named Favourite Pop Act. They capped that success by delivering the closing performance at the show as well as promoting their new album in the Lion City. Buzz caught up with Westlife’s Bryan McFadden, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan for the lowdown on their fans, critics, ambitions in the US and also the rumours surrounding them. RUMOURS Sure, the shelf life of a boy band is only about length of Britney Spears’ dresses. But Westlife are insistent on not going separate ways in the near future and neither will they pursue solo projects. Nicky said they had all agreed to put the band first. “Going solo and stuff is out of the question. We all feel that each of us is totally focussed on Westlife. Bryan may write songs for other bands but it stays at that. None of us are doing solo projects.” On rumours of an imminent split, as is the trend of boybands, Nicky said they were plain silly. “We’ve been together for three years. We’re a household name back home, as well as around the world. But we’re still just about the same. There’s no sign of us on the decline. There’ve been stories about us splitting up but I think it’s just stupid. We’re stronger now and more positive and happier than we’ve ever been. So, there’s more to come from us in the future.” Kian said there were people in the industry who were out to break the band. “They’re out to cause a split and create bad vibes. But we’re sticking togehte, drawing on our strenght as a band. It also helps that we remember that we’re just five normal people, no different than anybody else on the steet. We just love being ion a band and we love to sing.” For those who’ve heard the rumour of a cartoon being made on Westlife, forget it. But there might be a movie on them called West World. “It’s something we’ve all discussed but there’re no definite plans so far,” said Shane. “About a year ago, we got a few scripts from production companies that were keen to do it. But we didn’t have the time and we still don’t now. We have America in our minds this year and there’s a tour happening. We would love to make a movie but we don’t know when it’ll happen. INDUSTRY BITCHING Westlife played dumb when asked how they felt about being ‘slagged’ by their peers. Among the pop stars who’ve taken a swipe at them is former Spice Girl, Mel C. but she didn’t ruffle Nicky one bit. “Mel C? Who’s he?” Nicky jokingly asked aloud, much to the amusement of the others. “It doesn’t bothe us. A lot of bands who slag us are usually our competitors or those who have split up. A lot of it is due to jealousy. As for us, we don’t slag anybody. We just do what we love with Westlife. If people have problems with that, that’s just too bad.” Bryan said they cared more about the fans and those who love their music. He added that sometimes people’s quotes on them were taken out of context. “They might have been asked whether they like our music and they genuinely just said no. but it gets twisted into arguments like, ‘Hey, Mel C doesn’t like your music.’ That doesn’t mean she has a problem with us. She’s just not a fan of our music.” CREDIBILITY “Credibility is a load of crap. Being in a boyband, you’ll always be stereotyped,” said Bryan. “So, no matter how many number one hits you have or millions of albums you sell, a rock band is always cooler. That’s how it’ll always be. For that, we don’t care about credibility. We just want to make music and sell records. That already makes us feel credible to ourselves, our families and our friends and they’re proud of us. We don’t care about industry people. There’re so many wankers among them and the bullshit in the industry is really bad.” Nicky nodded in agreement and said: “When you go back home and do something and put it on tape, that’s real to me. That’s credible. “Of course, it makes us happy to see people enjoy what we’re doing and for the critics to like it as well,” said Shane. “I think many critics do enjoy our work. It’s just that they’re not Westlife fans.” Bryan said it was not so much the critics who annoyed them but the industry people who got on their nerves. “It’s those record companies who want us on their labels but can’t. They are the ones who slag us and say we’re not credible.” Shane noted they were jeered by record labels for winning the Best Pop Act award at the British Music Awards/ “I’m sure they won’t do that if we were on one of their labels. It’s just jealousy. It’s all a big game and no one’s being honest. It’s a load of bullshit.” FANS The ultimate status symbol of a celebrity is the fans. And Westlife have more than enough of them to last them a while. While it irks them there are fans who go overboard, they cooly take it in their stride. After all, that’s the price you pay for fame. Bryan said: “All this is different from ajob. It’s not like you finish at 6pm and that’s it. It’s not like people stop asking you for autographs after that. Bit there are just somethings that muct be respected. Sometimes, one in five thousand girls won’t respect it. And it’s anooying when that happens. At the end of the day, however, we’re grateful that most of the fans are not like that and they do respect us. It’s just that one out of 10 million who don’t reat us with respect.” Shane added: “It’s like only one in a million who causes the trouble – that’s just 0.1 per cent of our fanbase.” UPCOMING TOUR Mark revealed that so far, their upcoming tour would only cover dates in Europe. “We’re starting in Holland. Then, we move on to Scandivavia, where we’ll do Sweden, Denmark and Norway. Next, come Germany, Britain and South Africa. But we’re also going to promote our new single in the US and UK. So, we might cut short the European tour.” Shane said their tour this time would be slightly different. “We’re not doing the stage at the end of the arena. We’re doing the one at the centre. That means it’s going to be a different show and also a harder one for us. We can’t get away with any mistakes. It’s going to be a good challenge. There’s going to be much excitement pumping up the adrenaline.” THE U.S ALBUM “We’ve had three albums in Asia and worldwide but none yet for America,” said Kian. “So, we’re thinking of compiling the best songs from our three albums for the American effort.” Nicky said they delated their plans to try the US market due to a few factors. “The last time we went there, things weren’t good for us. It was tough at the time as the record company was falling apart. We promoted one single but when we tried to do another, suddenly, the head of the company we were discussing with wasn’t working there anymore.” He said that spoiled their plans for the American market. “As we were doing well in Asia, Europe, Britain and South America, we carried on focussing on countries there. Our continuing success there has now convinced American companies to take us. They’ve promised a lot of money for the making of our videos and we’re promising everything else. So, we guess the time is finally right.” TAKE THAT Before Westlife, their predecessors, Take That, also tried to break into the American market. But just as they were beginning to do so, the band split up. Gary Barlow, Mark Owen and Robbie Williams then went on to pursue solo sareers. Some quarters are doubtful whether Westlife can pull off their American dream, considering what hapenned to Take That. Shane said their situation now could not be compared to Take That’s then. “It’s just the way things are today. When Take That were around, so were acts like New Kids On The Block. It was tough to compete as there was so much hype surrounding New Kids then. There was no way Take That could match their sales. As for us, we may not inspire the hysteria that Take That did then, but we’ve got higher album sales.” Mark said they has big ambitions for their American venture though they don’t expect to be an overnight sensation. “We just want to go over there and establish ourselves. We’re not expecting things to happen in one big bang.” Bryan said their success in other parts of the world would leave them in good stead in the US. “We’re going over as a phenomenon from Europe, Asia ad South America. That’ll give us some good TV time.” ASIA Westlife have endless praises for Asia and treasure the following they enjoy there. “It’s amazing,” said Shane. “It’s something that we never expected. At first, we couldn’t believe how many people knew us, much less how many fans we had.” Mark added: “And everytime we came back, the fans seem to get bigger and bigger. “We’re simply astonished by the whole thing. It’s a mind-blowing experience for all of us. We don’t know how to take it. We just don’t think about it too much. Only when you get there, will you know how big it hits you. And it’s scary.” article taken from Malay Mail

Westlife's Sexy Secrets!!!! Feb 18th 2002 FROM: worldpop.com Westlife have revealed details of their sex lives in an interview with Cosmopolitan magazine. Bryan McFadden says he still found his wife Kerry Katona sexy during her pregnancy although the constant changing of nappies had since ruined the romantic moods! 'Kerry was radiant when she was pregnant,' says Bryan. 'The sexiest part of her was her bump, which was so sexy. But I do feel knackered getting up in the middle of the night to change nappies.' Bryan reveals he once returned to his hotel room to find two naked girls in his bed. 'I was in shock,' he says. 'I just stood there for a second, thinking I'd got the wrong room. I had to get security to throw them out. If I were single then maybe I would be impressed but I'm not into girls wanting to have sex with me because I'm in Westlife.' Nicky Byrne talks about his romance with Georgina Ahern, the daughter of Irish Prime Minister, Bertie Aherne. 'We've been together for seven years and I still get excited seeing her,' says Nicky. The singer says the couple have just bought a house together and says the sitting room has become their favourite place, to erm, canoodle. 'It's like a big cosy log cabin with a big fireplace and huge cream couches, cream carpets and a plasma TV in the wall. It's amazing,' says Nicky. Nicky says he used to have a big crush on Kylie Minogue and told her so on a recent episode of cd:uk. 'She just laughed,' says Nicky. Kian says he prefers Mediterranean girls with long dark hair but also Scandinavians with big blue eyes and a year-round tan.' Shane, who dates Kian's cousin Gillian says he would never cheat on his girlfriend. 'I think being unfaithful is the worst way you can treat a girl,' he says. Mark says he relishes his position as a single guy. 'I have had a few one night stands but I can't remember exactly when. I like going to different places and meeting different women. The more I meet, the more likely I'll eventually find my type.' The band also admit their squeaky clean image is misleading. 'We're not clean cut little boys who sit at home and do what mummy tells them,' says Kian. 'We like to have a laugh and live our lives.' The band release their new single, World Of Our Own today (18 February) and go head to head in the charts with Kylie Minogue's new single In Your Eyes. The band are aiming for their 10th No 1 UK single.

Westlife VS Kylie Mon 18 Feb 2002 10:25 Westlife and Kylie Minogue go head-to-head in the singles chart this week in one of the biggest chart battles of the year so far. But Westlife's Shane seems pretty confident that the Irish lads will be victorious over the Aussie star. "We are great fans of Kylie and are looking forward to meeting her at the Brits," Shane said to The Sun. "But we reckon we will sell more singles than her. Our real problem may be with Enrique Iglesias who is still so strong at the top." To remain unbiased in the fight, you can see both videos in full here on dotmusic. Don't forget you can be the first to see who wins by logging on to dotmusic on Sunday at 7pm (GMT) when we'll be announcing the winner. from dotmusic.com

Westlife Votes Disqualified February 18, 2002 Westlife have had almost 1,000 phone votes cancelled by Brit Awards organisers after it was discovered that the calls were made from just three phone lines. The Irish boyband are nominated in the best pop category, which is voted for by fans, alongside Kylie Minogue, S Club 7, Blue and Hear'Say. The organisers say the irregular voting is probably down to over zealous fans rather than a record company plot. A spokesperson told the BBC, "I don't think it's anything as sinister as record companies doing it or anything like that." "I think it's just their over-obsessive fans, and I'm sure Westlife have a lot of obsessive fans." She continued, "It's going to be quite a closely-contested one and I don't think we're going to know the outcome until the night itself." This year's Brit Awards ceremony will be held at London's Earl's Court this Wednesday, February 20. -- SP from mtvasia.com

Westlife confident of beating Kylie Westlife confident of beating Kylie in singles battle Westlife are going head to head with Kylie Minogue in the first big chart battle of the year. Shane Filan from the Irish band says they are confident of outselling her. But he thinks it will be tough to dislodge Enrique Iglesias's song Hero from the number one single spot. Westlife's new single World Of Our Own coincides with Kylie's new release In Your Eyes. Shane told The Sun: "We are great fans of Kylie and are looking forward to meeting her at the Brits. "But we reckon we will sell more singles than her. Our real problem may be with Enrique Iglesias who is still so strong at the top." Story filed: 07:56 Monday 18th February 2002 from ananova.com

Kerry's Telly Heartbreak! Former Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona is looking for work - because the show which she hoped would launch her tv career has been scrapped. The blonde singer quit Atomic Kitten just over a year ago after falling pregnant by singer Bryan McFadden. Her first job after that was as a roving reporter on Channel 5's showbiz gossip show Exclusive. But Channel 5 spokesman Nick Deer announced last night: "After five years, Exclusive is in its final series. It will come off air - after its current 15-week run - at the end of March." He added: "We've been delighted with the presenters and production team and are in discussions about future projects." But Kerry - now mum to six-month-old Molly - was so kee on Exclusive, she even pre-recorded footage before flying off with Bryan on honeymoon to Mauritius last month. from daily star