* Mark's eyes are in danger

Westlife star Mark Feehily is in danger of losing his eyesight due to the band's flashy lifestyle.

The 24-year-old has been warned that he runs the risk of permanently damaging his peepers after excessive exposure to camera bulb-popping.

Worried Mark told me: "I've got bad eyes and suffer headaches at the back of them. I've been advised not to do too many photoshoots. Photographers complain and ask why I sometimes wear sunglasses but I have no choice unless I want to ruin my eyesight forever."

Cutting back on snapper action looks unlikely for now as Westlife prepare to launch their sixth album, Allow Us To Be Frank on November 1.

As one of the biggest pop groups around, their punishing schedule includes endless stints in front of the lens as well as live performances.

The group unveiled the first single from their Rat Pack album, Ain't That A Kick In The Head, at the glitzy World Music Awards in Las Vegas last month.A bash which didn't help Mark's problem in the slightest.

Talking about the snapper overload Shane revealed: "It was like a rave." Despite notching up 13 No. 1 singles, including the first in the Official Download Chart, Westlife have been snubbed by the UK Hall Of Fame, which unveiled the batch of 90s nominees for the public to vote for on Channel 4 last week.

Take That and the Spice Girls lead the way for pop acts, with Oasis and Manic Street Preachers vying on the rock side.

But Westlife don't give a monkey's, saying being on that sort of list would just show they were washed up. Nicky said: "At the end of the day it's just rubbing someone's ego." And defiant Shane added: "It's too premature for us to be there."

Source: www.unbreakable-westlife.de
Credit: www.westlifers4ever.tk

* Westlife won another award

Singers Anastacia and Usher have been voted the top male and female artists at the first Nordic Music Awards.Audience members at the Oslo ceremony and fans in Norway, Denmark and Sweden decided the winners by sending cell phone text messages to a specific number.
The winner in the best international band category was Britain's Westlife, while Danish rap group Outlandish won the best Nordic artist category.

Finland's The Rasmus was voted the Nordic band with the best success outside the region.

Performers at the show, which was aired in the three Scandinavian countries included Kylie Minogue, Robbie Williams, the Soundtrack of Our Lives and Nina Persson.

Credit: www.westlifers4ever.tk

* Simon and Louis locked in battle

Mon, 25 Oct 2004

X Factor judges Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh are at each other’s throats following a row on Saturday night's show.

The pair threw constant jibes at each other while live on air and according to the Daily Mirror, had a huge fight backstage afterwards.

Sharon Osbourne sided with Louis and locked herself in her dressing room until 1am with the Westlife manager to discuss what had happened.

Louis said: “Simon Cowell is making it personal. He is deliberately winding up myself and Sharon.

“He says one thing backstage and then comes out with these snide comments on air.”

Blonde finalist Roberta Howett was the first contestant to be voted off of the ITV show, much to the surprise of Sharon, whose group she was in.

Louis revealed: “We were absolutely dumbstruck by the result. Myself and Sharon spent the whole evening in her dressing room trying to work out what went wrong.”

But an insider told the paper: “Simon was angry with Louis and told him he was making a mockery of the show because he’s turning it into a personal battle when it’s supposed to be about the contestants.

“Louis walked off in a huff. Simon ran after him and started going on about how it killed Louis to say something good about his contestants.”

Now now children, pick your toys up and put them back in your prams.

Credit: www.westlifers4ever.tk

* Magic and Kiss in Wembley deals

Fri, 29 Oct 2004

Emap Radio brands Magic 105.4 and Kiss FM have signed new sponsorship deals with Wembley Arena, including coverage of the new Pavilion complex.

The three-year extension to the station¡¦s existing deals will include press advertising and branding for the whatsonwembely.com website, which trails the acts appearing and currently has over 210,000 listed members.

Although Wembley Arena is due to begin a long overdue £25m refurbishment, a state-of-the-art structure called the Pavilion is due to be built in the car parks beside the new Wembley Stadium, which is also under construction.

The 10,000 capacity concerts and shows venue will open early next year and remain in palce until the Arena has completed its makeover in late-2005.

Acts already lined up for the temporary venue include boy bands Westlife and Blue.

Julie Warren, senior commercial and marketing manager for Wembley Arena, said, "There is a range of flexible opportunities on offer which are perfect for companies targeting a diverse audience over several weeks or months.

¡§Alternatively, packages can be tailored around one particular event."

Source: Media Week
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Shut up, Simon, you're no meanie (Mark on Simon)

Fri, 29 Oct 2004

Westlife, which was talent-spotted by Idol judge Simon Cowell, says his meanness is just an act

SIMON Cowell might be known as the catty American Idol judge with the acerbic tongue.

But, according to UK boy band Westlife, he is actually quite a nice harmless kitty.

The Westlife boys were first talent-spotted by Cowell and Louis Walsh six years ago and he's often credited for their success.

Said Westlifer Mark Feehily in a phone interview with The New Paper: 'Simon's not that mean. We've known him for six years - he's our man!

'A lot of that (mean) stuff was put on for TV, he doesn't talk like that.

'Before the show, we were the famous ones and he was just the person from the office. If he ever tried to act like that with us, we will only laugh at him, and tell him to shut up.'

And for further proof that the real Cowell can be nice, it took a while for Feehily to recall his meanest memory of Cowell.

'I remember, once, we did a photo shoot for one of the magazines, and Simon was going through the photos. Brian (McFadden) was on honeymoon in Mauritius at that time, but Simon called him up and told him he looked fat.

'That was one of the most inhumane things he did. I mean, calling people fat when they are on their honeymoon?


'He'd better not try that on me!' Cowell is also the brains behind the Westlife boys going back to the swingin' '50s for their latest album, Allow Us To Be Frank.

The band's sixth album is a tribute to the Rat Pack - the nickname given to legends Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Peter Lawford and Joey Bishop.

The four Irish lads - Feehily, Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne - do covers of classics like Fly Me To The Moon, Come Fly With Me and Ain't That A Kick In The Head.

FUN DRESSING UP

The boys also had fun dressing up in dapper suits - 'You can look cool without all those baggy trousers, a nice crisp suit is very cool, too', and greasing their hair - 'I remember taking big globs of Brylcreem and smacking it on my hair when I was a kid'.

Though it's a move away from their usual bubblegum fare like Flying Without Wings and Swear It Again, Feehily says going jazz is a one-off, and that the band will go back to pop after this.

The album will also be Westlife's first as a quartet, after Brian McFadden left the band in March.

Feehily, 24, admitted that it was tough coming to terms with losing a member.

'Right from Day One, each of us brought something different to the band. Brian was a very strong singer - he was passionate, funny and all-rounded. So now there's something missing.'

He said that in the days leading up to McFadden's split, McFadden had been more subdued than usual, which was when the rest of them realised something was wrong.

'He was very quiet, he didn't want to talk about the future of the band and he seemed sad. We knew something was wrong, so we asked him to tell us his problem and we will sort it out.'

McFadden, 24, had wanted to quit the band to spend more time with his two daughters with ex-Atomic Kitten Kerry Katona.

'We were shocked, and asked if we could change anything to help him. Like maybe let him take two months off or something, but he was set on his decision. We spent five hours persuading him, but we respect his decision since he can't be happy with us.'

McFadden has since ditched the 'y' in his former name for the more conservative spelling of 'Brian', and launched his solo career with the single, Real To Me.

Feehily analysed: 'In a way, we got rid of a problem - his problem. 'He wanted to leave. So we lost him, but this is life, things happen.'

He claims that despite the split, they are still very good friends, and the boys even consoled McFadden when he separated from Katona recently.

Feehily said: 'It's not my place to talk about it, but Brian and Kerry have made their decision. We've talked to them about it because we are very close to Kerry, too. We will always be there for them.'

He is confident too that Westlife will go on strong without McFadden. 'We met one another when we were just 11 years old in school. We are not a manufactured band like others... We are like a real band.'

Source: Electric New Paper
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* The day I blew up at Brian over his split with Westlife

Sat, 30 Oct 2004

Nicky Byrne relives the bar room bust-up as he tried to get truth about McFadden's solo career and why he reckons his pal's marriage was doomed to fail

Westlife's Nicky Byrne squared up to former bandmate Brian McFadden in a bar over his former bandmate's decision to go solo.

Nicky pulled up McFadden - who topped the charts recently with solo single Real To Me - as they downed pints together in Norway.

When the subject turned to Brian's solo career, the tipsy Westlife star demanded to know the real reason behind his pal's decision to walk out on the million- selling group.

Nicky admitted: 'When he quit he told us he didn't want to go solo. Then I met him in Norway recently. By then he'd already launched his new solo career.

'We were having a few drinks and I brought the question up.The fans want to know the truth and so do I.

'I said, 'Come on, man. You told us what you told us and we all went with it. Yet a couple of weeks later you've got a solo record out'. I wasn't being aggressive but I was determined to get it out of him.

'But he stuck to his story, saying, 'Nicky, I swear to God I wanted to go home and be with my kids'. He told me: 'I knew I'd probably go solo at some stage in my life, but in 18 months or two years. I didn't know I was going to go solo so soon.

'I just knew that I couldn't carry on in Westlife when there were the four of you to think of all the time and I couldn't make the decisions I wanted to make'.

'He was very honest and I suppose he made sense in the end. He felt his solo career meant he could cancel promotion to go home and be with his kids and it would be on his own head. He wouldn't have to p**s his bandmates off.'

McFadden has recently split from his 24-year old wife Kerry, who has moved in with her mum to look after their young two daughters Nicky is convinced McFadden was being naive to expect to hold his marriage together after launching a solo career so soon after Westlife.

'If he had chilled out for a year he probably have benefited in his private life but it would have been harder to come back,' Nicky told me. 'He felt he had to strike while the iron was hot. It was one of the biggest decisions of his career and he was naive to think that he could go solo and see his family.

'I don't really think Brian realised he was being naive.

'If he really wants to be a major success, he has to put more work in now than he would if he was in Westlife, because he is starting all over again.'

The band have put paid to the persistent rumours that they are on the verge of splitting by lining up a 2005 UK tour which includes a Scottish date at Glasgow's SECC on March 10.

On Monday,Westlife release a download track Ain't That A Kick In The Head, while their latest album Allow Us To Be Frank, is released on November 8.

The Rat Pack themed album features classics performed by Sinatra and his legendary colleagues as well as Fifties classics such as Nat King Cole's When I Fall In Love.

Nicky shrugged off claims Westlife are copying Robbie Williams, who enjoyed phenomenal success with his album Swing When You're Winning in 2003.

He insisted: 'We're known as crooners in our own field because we are a boy band who do ballads and get a certain amount of female attention.

'And although we'll never be the real and authentic Rat Pack, we also have a ball on stage and travel the world.

'It doesn't matter to us that Robbie Williams did this. He is just one person and, yes, people have accused us of copying him.

'But there are plenty of people who have done these kind of albums in the past and people like Michael Buble are doing it now. There'll be people wanting to make this kind of music in the future.

'Robbie did it well and we tried to make sure that we also did our best.

'We put a 75-piece orchestra together and I'm not afraid to say that these boys are as good and probably better than the boys who played originally. That's how confident we are.

'This is our version of these songs and the feedback so far has been one hundred per cent positive.'

Of course, the question has to be asked, which one of Westlife could hold his drink like Dean Martin, whether one has connections to rival Frank Sinatra, or the comedic timing of Joey Bishop, for that matter the playboy charm of Peter Lawford or the nifty footwork of Sammy Davis Jr? With a nervous laugh, Nicky admits: 'There have been a few jokes like that. But none of us has said 'I'm going to be Joey Bishop or Sammy Davis Jr'.

'But we all got into character, did the twang and took what we could from all of them.

'Frank being the chairman of the Rat Pack, we picked the cheeky title Allow UsTo Be Frank.

'But it isn't just Rat Pack songs on there. We had a lot of fun recording Clementine for example and the likes of When I Fall In Love.'

He added: 'Look at Rod Stewart. He has had a fantastic career doing original music and he's packing arenas out in the States.on Americanmusic and he's packing arenas out in the States.and he'smusic and he's packing arenas out in the States.on Americanmusic and he's packing arenas out in the States.

'It's what people want. If they didn't want it he wouldn't be as successful as he is.

'We have met Rod a few times.We're always playing with him in the soccer sixes.We know that at some point we will do a duet with him, depending on the timing and the song.

'In the meantime, hopefully, this album will be successful and we can go back and do Rat Pack II.'

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Westlife web chat from gmtv

Fri, 29 Oct 2004


Westlife popped in for a webchat at gm:tv

The Westlife lads: Mark, Shane, Kian and Nicky joined us at gm.tv for a webchat on Friday 29th October. Here's what they had to say:

Claireds: Hello Lads - well done - MACK THE KNIFE IS EXCELLENT!!
Westlife: Cheers, hopefully you'll enjoy the tour next year. We start in February.

jackie burton: Who were your hearthrobs before you were famous? Nicky, you're mine.
Nicky: My first hearthrob was Kylie. Then Erika Elenika, from Baywatch.

izbirrell: Why did you decide to go with the Frank Sinatra rat pack music? I like it and well done

Shane: Because we thought it would be an enjoyable idea for us and the fans.
Nicky: We can't wait till the album is released on November 8th.

Alison: Mark, how are the eyes?
Mark: They're fine because they haven't been exposed to lots of camera flashes recently.

Sian and Amy: Will you be doing Children in Need this year?
Kian: Yes we are doing Children In Need this year and we look forward to it. We're not sure what song we're doing it's a surprise. Possibly Smile.

Kerry McFadden: Which do you prefer - pancakes or crumpets?
Nicky: You should know that if you're Kerry McFadden.
Mark: I prefer Kerry's crumpets.

Emi McCarthy: Mark, you have the voice of an angel, have you ever had singing lessons?
Mark: Thank you and no. But I probably should.
Lisa and Nicky: Shane you look tired - get some sleep babe
Shane: I had two and a half hours sleep last night, and I'm absolutely knackered. Thanks for the compliment!

Loze: Who is you favourite GMTV girl?
Shane: Jackie ...















... Brambles
Mark: Lorraine Kelly
Nicky: Eamonn Holmes is a legend. Though obviously not my favourite girl.

Feehily_The_Legend: Mark, will you marry me?! I'm 17!
Mark: No you're too young. Thanks for offering. You shouldn't get married at 17.

Emily: Will you be adding any extra dates to your 2005 tour because I really want tickets!
Shane: In the next couple of weeks there'll be new dates on sale.

Sofielvs: Mark: What's the one question you hate to answer?
Mark: Right now. What's it like without Brian in the band and why did you do a Rat Pack album. We don't mind answering them, but we get asked them about fifty times a day at the moment!

Emi McCarthy: Mark, if you were to take me on a date, where would we go and what would we do?
Mark: I'd put a blindfold on you and we'd get a private plane to a surprise place. We'd go somewhere very nice and have dinner and dance... go for a walk along the beach. That's the best I can come up with at this time in the morning!

Kerry McFadden: Who is your favourite Atomic Kitten member?
Mark: Tash
Nicky: None of them.

essieByrney: What's the most romantic thing you've ever done for Gina, Nicky?
Nicky: Proposing to her. Marrying her. I've also filled rooms with red balloons and flown home when she least expects it. Bought her a labrador puppy... I'm the most romantic.

Sonia&Erin: Can Shane go on the cam as i am going to school now? ...Shane waves...

Marella: What is the one song that sums up your life?
Shane: Smile by Nat King Cole sums up my life.
Nicky: My Lovely Horse - by Father Ted and Dougal
Kian: Welcome To The Jungle by Guns 'n' Roses
Mark: Purple Rain by Prince

LIZ WILSON: Do any of you keep in touch with Brian? I think he might be in need of a friend at the moment
Mark: All of us do. We just saw him last weekend. We were out with him drinking till the early hours in Oslo, Norway.

Sonia&Erin: THANK YOU U MADE MY DAY

Cazza: Mark you look tired today but still gorgeous, I bet you're all sick of all the female attention. Mark I was just wondering what size feet you are and what is your favourite colour?
Mark: Ten to ten and a half. Favourite colour is black or purple.

KitKat: Where's the best place you've ever been to perform?
Kian: I personally think that Sydney Australia is one of the best places in the world.
Rest of Westlife: Sligo, Ireland.. of course!

Johnathan and Honor: Looking foward to see you in Butlins - will you say hello to my nan who will be taking me and my sisters?!
Mark: Hello nan, see you in Butlins with the red coats.

Tanya: Shane - glad you have sorted your hair out, it looks much better, the side parting thing just wasn't happening!!
Shane: Thank you very much my mother and wife agree...
Kian: I think it was quite a cool haircut

Kirsti_loves_Mark: Mark u have put in a good mood all day now! :-)
Mark: Thank you very much I hope you have a really good day. Glad to be of service.

Bbecca: So where are you all off to after the show?
Mark: Bejing... Only joking. We're going to do some internet interviews and we're going to Glasgow to do some interviews.

Laurz: If you could do any Michael Jackson song for the medley on your tour which 1 would it be?
Kian: We've already done Gotta Be Startin' Somethin' so we reckon Man In The Mirror would be brilliant.
Mark: Liberian Girl...

Sian and Amy: When you were younger did you ever camp out for tickets like we all do for you?
Mark: We camped out for Backstreet Boys tickets. And to our wonderful surprise we ended up supporting them.
Shane: I queued up for Michael Jackson tickets, and I ended up not being able to go because of a wedding, and I was only 11 at the time I was gutted.

Lisa and Nicky: what's the funniest thing that's ever happened to you on stage?

Nicky: I remember singing a medley to Wake Me Up, and one of the lads broke wind and I was cracking up... I personally think it was Mark...

Ann: Which one of you is Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis Jnr?
Shane: Kian is Joey Bishop.
Shane: Mark is Dean Martin. Shane is Frank Sinatra.. and Nicky is about as similar to Sammy Davis Jnr as the rest of us are to the others.

JessieByrney: Great camara skills there mark, ye cracking me up! ...Mark messes about with the camera shots, focusing on Nicky's scalp briefly and then the London Eye.

Joy & Fiona: Shane stop picking your nose! :P
Shane: I'll pick it if I feel like it.
Nicky: It'll be on ebay tomorrow if anyone's interested...

Becky: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
Nicky: Shane fell on stage in Dublin and busted his knee and it was really embarressing
Mark: I was about eleven and my Granfather took me into town and I was messing about and somehow I managed to trip him up. And I felt like such a fool when he fell flat on his face.

Feehily_The_Legend: Can you lot type or are you lazy!? hehe! Who's doing your typing boys?
mark: i can type, im typing this at the moment!
Westlife: you see!

Ann: any plans for films in the future? You look like you've walked off the set of Reservoir Dogs
Westlife: thanks,we take that as a complement....we're gonna make a film called oceans4....no just joking...no plans for a movie....

Westlife: Sorry that we haven't been able to answer all your questions... Our album is called Allow Us To Be Frank and will be out in November. We'll see everyone on tour and thinks for tuning in today. To our legions of fans, for all their support over the last six years and here's to the next six!

At this point Nicky accidently knocks a plant off the office shelf! He duly writes a note to apologise. Nicky and Westlife: Sorry about the plant! See you later guys. x

* The Easy 'Life

Sat, 6 Nov 2004

With five years at the top, 12 number one singles and 34m sold records under their belts, Westlife have reinvented themselves as a fourpiece. Their latest material harks back to an age of toe-tapping, sharp suits and slick licks: the 'Life have summoned the spirit of the Rat Pack and recorded an album of old school classics. We caught up with them in London's finest jazz venue, Ronnie Scott's, and asked Shane, Nicky and Kian how Westlife's new life is working out. Mmm, jazz...

This whole Rat Pack thing looks like a lot of fun ¡V is that why you chose to do it?

Shane: Totally. We did a TV show in Ireland, the first one we did as a four piece and we were wearing suits and just doing the normal thing but afterwards Louis came up to us and said: ¡§That went really well, it was a great interview and you reminded me of a young Rat Pack.¡¨ It was a joke at the time but the more we thought about it, we reckoned: ¡§We can try a couple of songs and see what it¡¦s like¡¨. The idea snowballed from there and we spoke to Simon Cowell about it and that¡¦s his favourite kind of music so he said go for it. We recorded two songs, it went really well so we went the whole hog, recorded it with a full orchestra and here we are six months later promoting it! It was really good fun.

The songs show off some big vocal performances ¡V did you have to do any special preparation or extra practice?

Kian: Obviously the style is extremely different from anything we¡¦ve done before so we just listened to the songs and the way the original people did it and got a feel for them. After that it was just a case of getting into the studio and putting our own kinda thing to it. We wanted it to be natural. But there was not much more we could do apart from listen to them and the timings and phrasings¡K

Shane: The phrasing was the hardest¡K

Kian: ...trying to get the licks and phrasings but we think it¡¦s worked and we¡¦re really happy with it.

And you went to Las Vegas to shoot the videos and promo for it last September?

Nicky: We went there for the World Music Awards originally and we had the album 90% finished and thought: ¡§The Rat Pack is Las Vegas so let¡¦s shoot some videos while we¡¦re out there¡¨. We shot three - A Kick In The Head, Fly Me To The Moon, and Smile and also we got to live the lifestyle there: the hotels, the gambling, everything! The videos are like classic Vegas with a band behind us, an audience as if they¡¦re watching a show, bar girls with hardly anything on, show girls with nearly nothing on! And we were thinking: ¡§What must it have been like for the real Rat Pack?¡¨ It put us all in good shape for coming back to the UK and Ireland because you¡¦ve had that insight and were able to act it out better and throw the shapes with more confidence.

¡§We were trying to eat KFC at the same time as signing all these CDs ¡V a pen in one hand and a piece of chicken in the other! ¡¨

What are you¡¦re favourite songs on the album?

Nicky: Mine¡¦s Mack The Knife

Shane: Fly Me To The Moon or Summer Wind for me, I really like both of them.

Kian: Let There Be Love



You¡¦re having a dinner party and you can invite any musical legend dead or alive ¡V who would it be?

Shane: Well the Rat Pack, obviously¡K

Nicky: And you¡¦ve got to have Elvis there¡K

Shane: Yeah, Elvis, Marilyn Monroe, JFK¡K

Nicky: The airport? Hahaha. Any legends or just musical ones? I¡¦d like Muhammad Ali. Maybe Mike Tyson too, he¡¦d certainly be interesting.

Kian: Jimi Hendrix would be a good one for me.

Shane: My granddad, because I never met him. All The Beatles.

Nicky: The Spice Girls, haha!

You¡¦re wearing some snappy outfits for this album, what¡¦s your favourite item of clothing?

Kian: I actually really like these suits, we had them specifically made for us and we went through the thing of going to the tailors and being measured up for them. The tailor was looking through the books to see how they were made back then and what type of material they used, the tie clips. It was really cool ¡¥cause you get into character when you put the suits on, straight away you¡¦re into it.

Nicky: It¡¦s amazing what an outfit can do. If you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you perform well. This morning was a classic example ¡V we had to get up at half past four to perform on GMTV. No one wants to get up, but you do it, get in the car, get to the studio and get into make up all while still half asleep. But then you put the suit on and you¡¦re like a different man. It was the best performance that we¡¦d done.
¡§It¡¦s amazing what an outfit can do. If you look good, you feel good and if you feel good, you perform well. ¡¨



Is doing the Rat Pack theme a nice change from what would have been an album and tour similar to those you¡¦ve done in the past?

Shane: It¡¦s a new lease of life. It¡¦s an exciting time for the band now that we¡¦re a four piece. The fans are dying to hear it and the tour next year will be a Westlife show doing all the hits plus a Rat Pack section as well.

People are going to be thinking: ¡§Robbie did that and now Westlife are following.¡¨ How do you respond?

Shane: I think it¡¦s different with the four of us doing it as a band like the Rat Pack did, rather than just one singer.

Kian: People will say that but loads of people have always done it, Robbie wasn¡¦t the first artist to cover those songs and I think the comparisons come just because we¡¦re both mainstream pop acts. Plus there are only two songs that he did that we¡¦re doing so that¡¦s different too.

Nicky: The more I think about it, the more I think it¡¦s a huge positive that his album did so well. It says to me that the public like this music. When Westlife do it ¡V a band known for big songs, big ballads ¡V straight away people are going to be interested.

You recently won the people¡¦s choice award for best website at the digital music awards ¡V what are your favourite websites?

Nicky: Mine¡¦s an Irish car website ¡V carzone.ie ¡V most garages in Ireland are linked up to it and it¡¦s just got thousands of cars, new ones that are coming on sale, old ones, different information and news.

Kian: Mine¡¦s a surfing site called surfingireland.net and I always check that before I go home.

Shane: Mine is myhome.ie, I go on that looking at properties and land and stuff.

You were the first number one on the official download chart ¡V are there any records left that you¡¦d like to break?

Shane: Haha. We¡¦d like to have the most number ones ever. I think Elvis has 19 and The Beatles has 17, and they¡¦re such a legendary band so to beat that would be amazing. We have 12 now and if we got up near it that would be quality.

Nicky: Though it gets harder every year. We had five number ones in our first year and last year we only had Mandy, so it¡¦s getting harder and we might not even release a single off this album as we¡¦re releasing it first. That record at one stage - it looked like we were going to demolish it but now it could take us years, which was the same for The Beatles and other bands. Elvis is still getting number ones now and he doesn¡¦t do any promotion!

You were up at half four this morning for GMTV, then interviews, then you¡¦re going to Liverpool tonight ¡V what¡¦s the maddest day you¡¦ve had?

Shane: This is one of them!

Nicky: The maddest day was the Coast To Coast promotion¡K

Shane: Aw, that was wild, that was ridiculous! 36 hours straight going to all those cities around the country in two days. We had cameras in our faces the whole time like Big Brother. The best laugh was afterwards, I think we had about an hour and a half¡¦s sleep then went out celebrating and drinking the whole night! Absolutely mad.

Nicky: It¡¦s amazing how you look back on things because at the time that seemed torture, we were in Virgin Radio doing interviews and were trying to eat KFC at the same time as signing all these CDs ¡V a pen in one hand and a piece of chicken in the other! But when you look back it¡¦s the most memorable laugh. We had a video made of the day and when we got back the record company threw us this big party and they¡¦d got Spice Girls look-alikes because we¡¦d been up against them in the chart battle, it was a right laugh.

Source: mykindaplace
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Skipper Chloe, 10 to train Irish boy band

7th Nov 04

Shropshire skipping champion Chloe Wetherall will be the envy of thousands of schoolgirls next week, when she shares her skills with chart topping boyband Westlife.

Chloe from Trefonen near Oswestry and her two friends, Mollie Croxon and Abby Glicksman, will travel to London on Tuesday to take part in the Paul O'Grady show.

The 10-year-olds will show the Westlife stars their extraordinary skipping skills which the Irish heart throbs will then try to emulate. Chloe made the record books when she was deemed the fastest skipper in Britain earlier this year.

Head at Trefonen School, Mr Arnie Wray, said: "Chloe can do 137 skips in 30 seconds, a remarkable four skips a second. She is officially the faster skipper in her age group in Britain."

The show will be broadcast on Friday.

The full version of this story appears
in tonight's Shropshire Star

Source: Shropshire Star
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Westlife laughing with success

Wed, 10 Nov 2004

Things couldn't be going better over at camp Westlife since the departure of their former teammate Brian McFadden, with the release of their new album and their manager's hit TV Show The X Factor...

As Westlife left RTE Studios last Friday night after playing two songs on the Late Late Show they grabbed their wives, namely Gillian and Georgina, and headed on down to Lillies Bordello.

And they couldn't have looked happier as they laughed and joked with ShowBiz Ireland's photographers as they entered the hallowed doors of the celebrity hotspot.

And the lads have a lot to be cheery about what with their new album Allow Me To Be Frank just going on release, their manager Louis Walsh is a hit on X Factor, and their close Sligo friend Tabby looks like bookies' favourite to win the top rating show.

In related news Louis Walsh indicated on the John Daly Show recently that he's looking to do a reunion tour with Boyzone and if Ronan Keating doesn't come on board he may run a TV talent search to find the fifth member.

Shane Lynch, who was also on the show, suggested that he and the other former members would love to do the tour but understands if Ronan cannot commit.

Louis did make one jibe at Ronan stating: "I picked all of the songs on his Greatest hits," and went on, "he didn't even give a 'thank you' to me or the lads on the album."

Also on Friday night's Late Late Show was the Duchess of York Sarah Ferguson promoting her new book Little Red's Christmas Story.

Let's hope this book is a success for Fergie so she can buy a better fitting pair of shoes ;)

Former Wet Wet Wet singer Marti Pellow also graced the long-running chat show...


Source: Showbizireland
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Westlife nominated for two Smash Hits 2004 Awards

Wed, 10 Nov 2004

Westlife are among this year's nominees for the Smash Hits Awards with two nominations: Best international band ( other nominees in this category include Black Eyed Peas, Eminem and D12, Maroon 5 and OutKast ) and Favourite download for Flying without wings ( other nominees include Britney Spears - Toxic, Busted - logo, Natasha Bedingfield - These Words, Rachel Stevens - Some Girls).

The most nominated artists for this year's awards include Busted and McFly with 9 nominations, with Britney Spears and Rachel Stevens close behind with 7 nominations each. The Smash Hits T4 Poll Winner's Party, where the winners will be announced, will be hosted in Wembley Arena on Sunday 21st November, 2004 ( doors open 2.15pm, show starts at 3.45pm ) by Vernon Kay and June Sarpong. The show will be broadcast live on T4.

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Shane buys a helicopter

11th Nov 04

Westlife's Shane Filan has splashed out hundreds of thousands of pounds on a helicopter.

Now all the singer has to do is learn to fly it reports The Sun.

He says: "I've always wanted to get my pilot's licence. Until I do, I'm going to rent it out so it will nearly pay for itself over a few years. The boys slag me off about it, but I love it."

Shane and the rest of the Westlife boys are currently second in the midweek album chart with their album Allow Us To Be Frank will help.

Source: ananova
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Westlife: "We are no longer a boyband!"

Thu, 11 Nov 2004

Exclusive: In this time's Yam! Talk the four smart Irishmen reveal on how they are planning to swing themselves into the charts and the hearts...

It's been ages since you've seen Westlife so happy and relaxed! During the Yam! interview in Cologne, Nicky (26), Shane (25), Kian (24) and Mark (24) are in a contagiously good mood and talk in complete honesty about their plans, their new style, their future, as well as the good and the bad times in the band...

Yam!: Initially you were planning to release a duet-album, in the end it's turned to be a swing CD. Why?

SHANE: We changed our minds after Brian's departure. The main reason behind it is that with the duets it would've sounded as if we had tried to replace Brian in each song. Thus we've come up with the idea of making a "Rat-Pack" type of album á la Frank Sinatra and co. This is also why our new CD is called " Allow us to be frank" [Ed's note: Release date: 8th Nov., 2004].

A comparison with Robbie Williams, who already has recorded a swing album, comes straight to mind...

NICKY: That's true! But Robbie isn't the only artist who has recorded a Sinatra swing-style album. There have been other artists as well. We are, however, the first 4-member band who has done it. And: we are not copying or immitating anyone! We have just decided to take up the "Rat-Pack" era. In the end, this type of music doesn't belong to anyone exclusively.

Older people could feel more addressed by this album than your typical Westlife fans. Is this your way of saying goodbye to your old boyband image?

NICKY: That's not our intention. The songs are classics and naturally we are hoping that our young fans are going to like them too. However, we have grown and with this album we are simply making something different in our career. Not to mention it will most likely be our only album in this style.

MARK: We've been in the music business for six years now and have released five albums. Thus we've simply wanted to make something new and fresh - something one wouldn't have expected from Westlife. It's been a great challenge!

Other boybands, who only arrived on the scene after you, have either been history for quite some time or are breaking up again. What are your views on that?

MARK: It feels good. At the start of the band, everyone kept predicting that Westlife would only be staying around for two or three years. That's why it makes us very happy we are still there as normally people are fed up with a boyband after maximum 3 years. But probably we are no longer a boyband in the usual sense of the word. When it comes to us, the point isn't anymore to be young with straight and perfect bellies, but that people like our music and our voices. We've become more mature and have grown through time. Naturally, we are very proud of our success, also because it shows that we have not turned out to be just another one-hit-wonder.

And for how long can we still count on Westlife sticking around?

SHANE: After our new album and the tour at the beginning of next year we are going to sit down together and decide then whether we still want to continue or not. Naturally, right now we are saying that we'd love to keep on working as Westlife for another 6 years, but you cannot make such a long-term commitment. We are realistic about this and we are doing it step by step.

Has it ever gotten to the stage where you wanted to break up?

KIAN: Definitely it has came to our minds from time to time, when for example we've had to wake up at five in the morning or we hadn't seen our families for weeks. But on the other hand, we consider ourselves very lucky that we can do this in the first place. How many other artists namely get the chance to release their sixth album? Very few. That's why we consider ourselves very honoured and happy about this chance.

What has been the worst experience as a band?

MARK: When we were on a two-month promotional tour in the USA in 2001, it was the biggest challenge for the band. We had to perform in two states every day and worked for 20 hours on every piece. That would almost have ruined Westlife. At the end we were close to breaking up, as all of us were completely exhausted!

Is there anything that you'd change from the past if you could?

KIAN: Honestly, we naturally all wish that Brian hadn't left the band. But he wasn't happy, so it was the right thing. If he had stayed in the band, unhappy, it would've had an effect on all of us. Maybe we would've even decided to call it quits. But we are still very good friends with him and meet up every time we are in London.

How do your plans for the future look like?
SHANE: At the beginning of next year we are going on our "Red-Carpet " European tour and we'll also be playing two gigs in Germany. However, we won't be doing a purely swing concert, but present a typical Westlife show of around an hour and a half.


Source: Yam!
Credit: Dora

* Westlife: Christmas in Popworld

Thu, 11 Nov 2004

On December 2, for one-night only, London's Wembley Arena will be transformed into a sparkling winter wonderland to host an amazing festive show with some of the biggest names in pop. After appearing at last year's event, Westlife have signed up for Christmas In Popworld 2004.Tickets cost £25 + booking fee, and are available on 0870 735 5000.Other artists confirmed to appear include McFly, The 411, Natasha Bedingfield, V, Rooster and Estelle, and you can find more info on the event at Popworld.com...taken from www.westlife.com

* Mark and Shane's interview in Taiwan

11th Nov 04

In the morning of 10 Nov (Taiwan time), we phoned to BMG London office, grabbing Mark and Shane for an interview. Mark greeted us in Chinese, "da jia hao, wo shi ma ke, wo ai ni men" which means "Hello everyone! I'm Mark. I love you all!". We all got surprised because he still remembers the Chinese he learned in
Taiwan years ago (Westlife's been to Taiwan for three times).
>
The lads really enjoy the album "Allow us to be frank" and their new look, butShane releaved that Gillian was strongly against their new hair style of Rat Pack. She would rather Shane did the spiked hair. In regard to Brian's leaving, they are confident that they are brand-new Westlife without Brian, and now the goal of the four lads are clearer than ever. The release of this album breaks the rumour of their split-up after Brian quited the band. They did not follow Take That, Spice girls and Boyzone's footsteps. The brand-new album "Allow us to frank" was released in UK this week, and it will be on stores in Taiwan on 26 November.

Shane said the happiest time for him was being with the bandmates in these six years, and the saddest one was Brian's departure. Brian was unhappy when he's in Westlife. After he left, they are still friends and now the four lads are very satisfied with the brand-new band. Brian's leaving was the biggest risk for the
band. They proclaimed that Brian's departure in the press conference in Dublin this March that shocked all of their fans. The reason for his leaving was he could not balance the time between his family and the career. However, he released his solo album straight away. Shane and Mark both suppose that Brian's new songs are great and they are proud of him. Not like Take That, Spice Girls and Boyzone, Westlife do not split up, but the four lads will kick off "The Red Carpet Tour" in UK and Ireland in next February.

The atmosphere was not very good when we were talking about Brian's leaving, butMark was in high spirit when we asked him about his impression on Taiwan. The last time Westlife came to Taiwan was four years ago. However Mark can still remember how to speak "da jia hao" (Hello everyone), "wo shi ma ke" (I'm Mark) and "wo ai ni men" (I love you all) which really shocked us. Mark releaved that he still keeps his signet printed his name in Chinese. He is happy that he can write Chinese and he's proud to tell us he knows how to autograph his Chinese name. Being asked if he remembered the scenic spots in Taiwan, he immediately answered "McDonald's and Chiang Kai-Shek Memoral Hall". Talking about the song "Against All Odds" they did the duet with Mark''s female idol Mariah Carey, Mark still bursted with joy and said when he's in Taiwan, he and his manager were in chorus that the happiest thing in his life was to sing the song with Mariah, so "How can I forget Taiwan?" Shane
and Mark wanted to say something to the fans in Taiwan, "Thank you for your support and we miss you very much. Hopefully we can go to Taiwan and see you very soon"

Apart from that, they were talking about their trip to America for the video shoot of "Ain't that a kick in the head" and their visit to casino. Shane lost 1500 pounds, Nicky lost 2500 pounds, Kian won 1500 pounds, Mark won first then lost what he won, totally the four lads lost 2500 pounds. They even joked that they wish the money had been given away by their manager. Shane is very happy and satisfied with his marriage life, and he will celebrate the anniversary of their wedding day in the coming Chistmas. How about the bachelor, Mark? Shane said Mark won't settle down until he finds the girl he really loves. The new single "Ain't that a kick in the head" will be released in Taiwan on 19 November and the brand-new album "Allow us to be frank" will be released on 26 November (without the track "Moon River)".

Credit: Bonnie

* Brian Mcfadden doctors album

Mon, 04 Oct 2004

Brian Mcfadden is hastily doctoring his album to remove tracks inspired by family life.

The former Westlife singer has just split from his wife, jungle queen Kerry. As a result he's asked record bosses to have a fiddle with debut solo album Irish Son.

He wants tracks like Three Babies And A Man, about living with his wife and two daughters, to be buried further down the order. An alternative is to have them hidden as secret album tracks at the end. I'm told: "Brian's carrying out some emergency tweaks on the album as a result of splitting with Kerry. This is not as any kind of snub or insult to her.

"But he feels it would look bad if his debut album was shot through with songs about his happy family life when their split has been so public.

"Both Kerry and his family are very important, so many of the songs are inspired by them. "While one or two will be removed, others will be nudged back or may
appear as secret tracks on the album."

Brian and Kerry, both 24, are currently seperated with him saying that he just doesn't see how it can be worked out.

My source revealed: "Brian still loves Kerry with all his heart, but he can't see a way to make it work. It's all very sad." At this stage it is not yet known weather Auf Wiedersehen Bitch - a track written about groupies - will be removed from the album. Brian and Kerry married in 2002 and have two young daughters - Molly and Lilly Sue. They split after Brian spent so much time away promoting, despite quitting Westlife to spend more time at home. The pair have had a series of tearful phone calls since the split.

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Brian begged me : come to my hotel

Mon, 04 Oct


SUPERMODEL Sophie Anderton has told how Brian McFadden begged her to come back to his hotel - before he split from wife Kerry.

The father-of-two pleaded with Sophie to join him at his hotel and drunkenly shrugged his shoulders when she asked: "What about your wife Kerry?"

Sophie spurned his advances, but Brian was determined the leggy beauty should change her mind and join him at his hotel at a post showbiz bash earlier this summer.

Sophie, 27, last night told the Sunday Mirror: "Brian is a nice guy but he's not my type. And I'm also a very big fan of Kerry's. I have a boyfriend and I'm very happy. So I just said 'No'."

Both McFadden and Sophie were starring in ITV's sporting game show Simply The Best, hosted by Kirsty Gallacher and Phil Tufnell in July.

The programme was filmed in Jersey and Brian and Sophie were flown out to the Channel Island to appear as special guests. They were staying at separate hotels.

Brian approached Sophie at the party in the island's luxurious Hotel De France where they were joined by other guests from the show including boy rockers McFly and footballer Lee Sharpe .

Sophie told a pal: "Brian was hitting the bottle. He was very drunk. We did hit it off. He was paying me lots of compliments. But as the night wore on he appeared to have only one thing on his mind - getting me back to his hotel. I said, 'No. Why leave a good party?' But he kept on begging me to join him.

"I really like his wife Kerry and told him that. She adores him. I reminded Brian that he was married and also had two beautiful young girls.

"But he just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't seem particularly bothered about Kerry and kept on trying his luck with me. I told him he wasn't my type and I was in love with my boyfriend Mark."

Brian stunned Westlife fans in March when he quit the band to spend more time with Queen of the Jungle Kerry and their two daughters.

After splitting with Kerry he said: "When you go through this you realise life can be short. You get one chance from life and you have to take every day as it comes. You've got to be happy.

"At the moment our priority is the kids."

Source: Sunday Mirror
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Review of new album

Daily Star Newspaper

Westlife's Rat Pack Album is set to divide the fans. The lads can sing but its a shame Shane Filan 24, and Mark Feehily 24, dominate. Allow Us To Be Frank which is released on November 8. When Nicky Bryne 26, and Kian Egan 24, voice their efforts it makes a fresher listen. Im not a particular fan of this style of music but here's Hot's track by track review.

Aint That A Kick In The Head - Smart one for the single.
Fly Me To The Moon - Mark gives a vintage performance.
Smile - Fans will lap up this love song.
Let There Be Love - Shane croons with panache.
The Way You Look Tonght - Fan Joanne Hindley joins them.
Come Fly With Me - Hard to compete with the original.
Mack The Knife - Nicky's gruff delivery is welcome
I Left My Heart In San Francisco - Pace slows down.
Summer Wind - Gentle breezy effort if slightly dull in places.
Clementine - Sassy number in which Kian stands out.
When I Fall In Love - Swoon time for the grannies.
Moon River - Mark dazzles.
Thats Life - The best is saved for last.


credit: Becky and Carmen

* Westlife try to break Step's record

Fri, 8 Oct 2004

Westlife will be the first act to perform at the temporary Wembley Arena Pavillion when they head out on their Red Carpet 2005 tour.

The performances will take on an awards show feel and a section will be devoted to tracks from their fourth-coming Rat Pack album, Allow Us To Be Frank.

It is thought extra shows will be added to the tour to try and break Steps' tally of 21 at the arena reports the Daily Star.

Shane Filan said: "Breaking Steps' record would mean a lot."

While Mark Feehily added: "It's a great problem having so many good songs to choose from for the tour."

Source: www.ananova.com

* Kerry and Brian's Irish Divorce

Tue, 12 Oct 2004

Pop hunk BRIAN MCFADDEN is dodging British laws to save millions on a divorce settlement with former ATOMIC KITTEN KERRY.

The ex-WESTLIFE singer's punishing solo schedule damaged his relationships with Kerry and the couple's daughters MOLLY, three and LILY SUE, one, leading to their separation last month (SEP04) and he's already taken the case to his native Ireland to ensure that Kerry won't have any claim on his future income, reports Britain's News Of The World newspaper.

Kerry Mcfadden divorce case to be held in Ireland
A legal source says, "The Ray Parlour decision in England would give Kerry a claim over Brian's future earnings so his legal team moved very quickly to get things initiated in Ireland".

The divorce case is due to be heard early next year (05) - but there will be no custody battle over their two children.

A source says, "Brian won't put them through the pain of a custody battle. They will stay with their mother."

Source: Female First
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Beth backs Westlife boys

Tue, 12 Oct 2004

THERE's no going back for Westlife fan Beth Evans, she's got tattoos of all of them.

The mum, 32, planned to have a tiger until a pal suggested the tribute to her favourite band.

So she spent TEN hours and £200 having the lads: Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan inked on.

Beth said: I couldn't choose between them so I had them all. I was in agony but it proves to the world I am their most dedicated fan. I'm the only woman who takes Westlife to bed every night.

Divorced Beth, from Swansea, can't see the tattoo without mirrors but kids Nikki, ten, Lizzie, four, and Joseph, three, think it's cool.

Last night singer Nicky, 26, told The Sun the band want a peek. He joked: "We could sign her back and she could have that tattooed on!"

Source: The Sun
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Beth Evans spent 10 hours having tattoos done

Tue, 12 Oct 2004

A Swansea Valley mother has backed her claim to be Britain's biggest fan of the boy band Westlife by having their faces tattooed on her back.
Beth Evans, of Pontardawe, spent a total of 10 hours at a tattoo parlour having pictures of the band etched on her.

The 32-year-old mother of three said she was in agony during the four sittings but has no regrets. The tattoos run from her neck to the bottom of her spine but there is no picture of Brian McFadden who quit the group in March. She said: "I've always wanted a tattoo and I was looking at ones of tigers and animals for my back.
"But then a friend said to me 'You love Westlife so much you should have pictures of them done instead'.

I though it was a brilliant idea - it proves to the world that I am their most dedicated fan and means I can support the band in my own way." She took pictures of singers Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan along to the Skin 'n' Ink parlour in Swansea.


Ms Evans said her children think the Westlife tattoos are 'cool' The four tattoos were done in separate two-and-a-half hour sittings.
"I was in agony but it's well worth the pain now," she added.
"The only problem is that everyone else get the pleasure of looking at them except me - I have to use two mirrors to be able to look at my back.
"I love the music - my favourite songs are Flying Without Wings and World Of Our Own.
"Of course it helps that they're so good looking.
"My favourite is Mark - he's got the voice of an angel."

Ms Evans said her children, Nikki, 10, Lizzie, four, and three-year-old Joseph think she is the coolest parent at their school.
"My kids think it's pretty cool - they love the tattoo - and so do their friends," she added.

Source: official boards
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Lost Norway to Kurt and Pop Idol

Thu, 14 Oct 2004

The lads from westlife think Kurt Nilsen and the new idols from Pop Idol have stolen large parts of the Norwegian market for them.

Now they¡¦re returning to win their Norwegian fans back.
¡§Norways a country we have to work with again, I¡¦m assuming people have gone off Pop Idol by now¡¨, Shane Filan asks hopefully. Along with Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne he¡¦s goin to Oslo to perform at the Nordic Music Awards next week.

¡§The thing is that all the Norwegian artists from PopIdol are with the same record company that we are¡¨, says Mark. ¡§Westlife are signed to BMG, and so are Kurt Nilsen and the other successful idols and their fanbase are pretty much the same.¡¨

¡§It¡¦s more natural for the record company to invest money in these artists that they can promote all the time, than some band that just drops by once in a while. And their man won World Idol too! But ¡§PopIdol¡¨ has definitely changed the BMG. It¡¦s not like they ignore us, but they have these other big artists to take care of¡¨

¡§We know that we have a fan-base in Norway, it¡¦s the first country we went to no.1 in outside the UK, but we only had 2300 in the audience at our last show (turnaround tour) and we know we could have had 10 000. We used to have that many, and plan on next year (!!!!! THEY¡¦RE COMMIN BACK!!!!). That¡¦s our goal, for Norway to be a better place for westlife again.

VG meets Filan and Feehily at the luxurious Conrad Hotell in Chelsea Harbour in London. They¡¦ve juas had their make-up done and are about to do a TV-interview. Kian Egan doesn¡¦t look as good with his eyes glued to the computer (think he was checkin the boards?) before runnin away to meet someone. Nicky Byrne is home in Ireland

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Westlife Support for sad Brian

Fri, 15 Oct 2004

Lee-Ann Fullerton And Beverley Lyons

WESTLIFE have sent their support to ex-band member Brian McFadden over his break-up with wife Kerry.

The band who received a Record Breakers award from Radio Clyde yesterday said they had sent their best wishes to their friend and hoped they could work things out.

Brian left the band earlier this year but has remained on good terms with the guys and they are rooting for him.

Mark said: 'He's a close friend and we would like to leave it up to them to sort it out. In a situation like this the only way they can do itis between themselves. It's up to them to talk it through, we have spoken to him but we are not sure exactly what stage they are at at the moment.'

The band are preparing to release their first album without their fifth member and they fended off criticism that the swing thing had been done before.

Mark said: 'First of all Robbie doesn't own the rat pack scene. He probably gave us the confidence to do it and he did do it first but this is our take and it's different. Even with all the criticism it's a great thing to do.

People love the music and our younger fans can enjoy it for the first time round.

'The majority of our stuff has been our own original material and we have had successful covers but we don't see this as an album of covers more a tipping of a hat to the music and giving our own interpretation of the songs.'

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Credit: [iluvwestlife]

* NK proposal

Louis Walsh has revealed how a businessman offered him £100,000 for one of the Westlife boys to sleep with his wife.

The man called Walsh's private number and said: 'My wife really fancies Nicky. Would there be any chance at all?

'We'd be talking a hundred grand. You know, taking it from there. This is a genuine offer, Louis, just two blokes chatting.

'Seriously, you name a price. Speak to him and see if he is keen.'

Walsh, who is usually on the ball when it come to money matters, was so gob-smacked he just said: 'Oh my God,' and hung up.

But the phone call was a wind-up organised by Westlife and carried out by Birmingham-based BRMB radio DJ Elliott Webb.

The Westlife manager, who always has an eye on the profits, said: 'I was going for the money.'

And in a dig at a former band member, Walsh said: 'Nicky is worth a lot more than hundred grand. could have got you Brian McFadden for £50,000 or Boyzone for £25,000.'

The groups new album, Allow Us To Be Frank is due out in December.

Source: www.dailyrecord.co.uk
Event: 13 September 2004
Credit: www.westlifers4ever.tk

* WL babies in the future??

Sun, 19 Sep 2004

Westlife's Nicky Byrne and wife Georgina Ahern have fuelled
speculation they are to have an addition to their family after
receiving planning permission to extend to their luxury property.

The couple splashed out on the three-storey,five bedroom Georgian
house in 2002 and described it as 'everything we've ever dreamed
of '.

They have been granted the planning green-light for a garage and
gymnasium, with an en suite bedroom and dresing room overhead.

This would make an ideal base for a nanny if the high flying couple
decide to add to their family.

Before their extravagant wedding in the south of France last year,
Georgina spoke of how they want to have a large family.

"Having a stable family home with children is really important to
us," said the Taoiseachs daughter.

"We both cant wait to have children-Nicky wants five but Id be happy
with three.

"But we're not planning anything just yet."

"There are still plenty of things we both want to do in life," she
added

Nicky agreed that they want a family in the near future.

"I cant imagine what it will be like having an 18-year-old
daughter,"
he said.

"Id be beside myself with worry every time she went out,"

The couple paid more than E1m for a house in the excluive Malahide
area.


Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Scott has designs on the stars

Wed, 22 Sep 2004

Fashion designer Scott Henshall has enlisted the help of his
celebrity pals to launch his Newcastle Gateshead collection today.

It was being unveiled at the Saatchi Gallery this afternoon during
London Fashion Week.

And the Northumbria University graduate has Irish pop singer
Samantha Mumba, who made headlines when she wore his ?m diamond web
dress for the Spider-Man 2 premiere in July, is one of those on the
catwalk.

She was being joined by Lady Isabella Hervey and Dion from Mobo-
award winning group Big Brovaz as well as Georgina, the daughter of
Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and her boyfriend, Nicky Byrne,
from boy band Westlife.

The front row is expected to be packed with celebrities including
Charlotte Church and members of Westlife.

The celebrity audience will also include Victoria Silvstedt, Nadia
Almada, Patsy Palmer, Abi Titmus, Big Brovaz, Sophie Anderton, Lisa
& Andy Scott-Lee, Kate Lawler, Jennifer Ellison and Tamara and
Anouscka Beckwith.

Scott has been putting the collection together for the last four
months.

But he still had time to design a green and yellow polka dot dress
for model Sophie Anderton to wear to the movie premiere of Wimbledon
in London.

Scott said: "I think all the designs are very sexy, very street and
ghetto fabulous.

"My favourite is a liquid gold leather bomber jacket.

"I'm very excited about the collection and I hope the clothes will
get a good reaction."

Scott's designs include a floor length chocolate georgette evening
dress, which also comes in hot pink with gold leather trimmed
detail, and a gold leather catsuit.

The Newcastle Gateshead collection will be shown in Leazes Park,
Newcastle, next month.

For those who want to wear Scott's work they will be able to buy the
outfits from all New Look stores in the North East, from September
22.

Also in Scott's audience today is Chronicle competition winner,
Lynsey McLaughlin of Cliftonville Gardens, Whitley Bay.

And Scott is giving out 600 goodie bags which will include T-shirts
designed by youngster Vicky Hook.

Vicky, 10, a pupil at Barley Mow First School, Birtley, impressed
Scott with her painting of the Angel of the North.

In the goodie bags are: New Look vouchers, Faith Shoes, Charbonnel
et Walker Scott Henshall limited edition truffles, Watermans limited
edition pens, HB Beauty vouchers, Skky Vodka, Campari, Peroni Beer,
Pout Beauty, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts, Pizza Pomodoro vouchers, Ciro
Pizza Pomodoro book and Culture 10 t-shirts

Fifteen other pupils from eight primary schools across Newcastle and
Gateshead have also had their designs made into T-shirts which they
will wear on the catwalk at Scott's Newcastle show.

Scott launched the competition in association with the
NewcastleGateshead Initiative and Culture10 as part of celebrations
commemorating 10 years of world-class culture in the region.

The project is supported by Newcastle City Council, Gateshead
Council and One NorthEast.

Source: ic Newcastle.co.uk
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* why Nicky's Irish Eyes are Smiling

Fri, 24 Sep 2004

WESTLIFE'S Nicky Byrne and his beautiful wife Georgina could hardly
keep their hands off each other as they left a London nightclub.

With her tiny denim skirt and see-through top, it's no wonder Nicky
wants to keep a firm grip on his lovely lady.

The pair were joined at Panga nightspot by another star from the
Emerald Isle, Samantha Mumba.

Source: Daily Record
Credit: [iluvwestlife]

* The Dosh goes West

15th Sept 2004

Good to see those Westlifer warblers scrub up so well whilst they film a selection of videos for their forthcoming Ratpack album in Las Vegas. And whilst Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Kian Egan enjoyed eating in an upmarket diner, Nicky Byrne took his wife Georgina to a casino where they spent more than $3,500 ( £1,900) Our mole said 'Nicky was having a right laugh and Georgina was looking around all the different gambling tables.

"And by the end of their session, she'd certainly learnt a thing or two about the game" We'll be having words with Nicky when we see him.

Source: Daily Star
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Nicky's Inn Love

Mon, 27 Sep 2004

Cute Nicky Byrne has built what we recon is most fellas idea of paradise - a pub in his house. The Westlife star told us all about it at Scott Hensall's post- show party at Pangaea. "Its great we have all our family round for a knees up" said Nick. "We have got everything on tap and it holds about 60 people" Nicky 25 was over with wife Georgina who was modelling Henshall designs for London fashion week.

Source: Daily Star
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Cowell defends boybands ;)

Tue, 28 Sep 2004


If you're going to diss boybands, don't do it in front of Simon
Cowell.

According to reports, Brian McFadden (him again) has called boybands
a "dying breed".

Gasp!

Surely that's blasphemy to anyone under the age of sixteen?

But the Irish singer, who's currently going through a painful split
with his wife Kerry, told Pop-Music.com that the public don't want
to see groups "dancing around" any more.

McFadden, who left Westlife to go solo, lost weight and just had a
No1 with Real To Me, has enlightened us by saying that choreographed
all-male outfits have been overshadowed by the likes of Busted and
McFLY.

"A band like new British all-boy group V just run around the stage
in luminous tops and spiky hair. It's already been done," he droned.


"Boybands dancing around isn't going to work ever again. Busted and
McFly are what the kids seem to love. They're so big at the moment
because they're new and are very good."

But Cowell, who's made a fortune out of men wearing tight T-shirts
and singing ballads, isn't having any of that Irish drivel.

"There is a market for everybody. Pop music from boybands and
girlbands will definitely make a strong comeback so people like
Brian McFadden should just go away and stop yakking about things he
doesn't know about."

That told him.

Source: MegaStar.co.uk
credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Brian Mcfadden 'Moving On' After Kerry Split

29 SEPTEMBER 2004

Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has admitted he's "getting on with life" on his own after news of marriage woes with wife Kerry hit the headlines earlier this week.

Brian, who cited his desire to spend more time with his family as the reason he left Westlife in March, is now finding solo success in the pop charts. The new found focus on his individual career has caused a rift in his relationship with Kerry ¡V and, to hear Brian tell it, the split just may be permanent.

"I don't know if we'll be able to work things out," said Brian, who has two children with the I'm A Celebrity winner. He added: "I am just getting on with life on my own, moving on with my life and taking care of our kids."

Of the difficult balance between career and marriage, he says: "I always feel like I have two different lives, one is my work life and one is my home life. Sometimes one is up while the other is down and vice-versa¡K Of course it is tough, but I must remember people have been through worse and life is very short.

"You only get one chance at life and you've got to grab it with both hands."

Brian and Kerry, who have two daughters, Molly, three, and 18-month-old Lily Sue, weathered similar troubles not long after their January 2002 wedding, but later reconciled.



Source: Hello Magazine
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* the diary of westlife's tour manager

by Jake Duncan, Westlife's tour manager, Monday 9 August, 2004


I'm still trying to figure out where the last ten days have gone.

We finished our run of outdoor dates with the show in Exeter last
Tuesday, where an audience of over thirteen thousand made for a
great evening, set in the grounds of Powderham Castle.

All in all, we can have no complaints about the weather during the
recent shows as, even though we experienced rain before/after a
couple of the shows, our actual performances were thankfully spared.

We are now firmly into "recording mode" for the rest of this month
and, if what I'm hearing from the studio in the early stages is
anything to go by, I'm sure everyone will be surprisingly impressed
by the "new" material. The buzz in the studio is electric, as
Westlife appear to be well on course to adding another chapter to
their record-shattering career (think I could get a job as a record
company biographer?).

Of course, Friday past, we had the welcome diversion of Jodi's 21st
birthday party, the pics from which will no doubt hit the newsstands
before the end of this week.

As you will see from the said glossy magazine spread, the event was
held at rather a unique location in a cool part of London - with a
glittering array of guests in attendance.

I left the proceedings at around three in the morning, at which time
the place was rocking and, in true Westlife fashion, it was a good
few hours before the lads were seen to leave the premises - don't ya
love it when you know you have nothing too important to do the next
day?

Brian was also in town - as he was booked to feature his new single
on CD-UK on the Saturday morning - and was good enough to join the
party for a few hours. Of course, he was welcomed into the
proceedings with open arms and for a while there it was just like
old times (apart from the fact that Brian was first to leave because
of his commitments the next day!).

credit: [iluvwestlife]

Pair Soccer It To Em

Mon, 16 Aug 2004

BLUE singer Simon Webbe and Westlife hunk Nicky Byrne have been
lined up to play against a team of legendary footballers in Sky One
special The Match.

The boy band stars join Royle Family actor Ralph Little, presenter
Jonathon Wilkes, GMTV stud Ben Shepherd and Callum Best in the one-
off charity show.

The Match will see the celebrities managed by Gordon Strachan live
and train at Newcastle United's Football Academy.

Then on October 10 they will pit their skills against soccer greats
like Eric Cantona, Paul Gascoigne, John Barnes and Bryan Robson.

Stars Rod Stewart, Robbie Williams, Ant and Dec and Chris Evans will
also turn out for the celebs, desperate to show they can kick-it
with the best of them.

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* S-wear it all over again

Westlife star Nicky Byrne seems to be VIRGIN on the ridiculous! He
may have millions in the bank but Nicky wore the same type of t-
shirt to two separate functions within the space of four days. And
he seems to have become such a fan of his Virgin Mary t-shirts that
he has one in blue and one in pink.

The singer wore his blue Virgin Mary t-shirt to the Shelbourne
versus Deportivo La Coruna champions league match in Lansdowne Road
in Dublin last Wednesday. He's pictured chatting to his father-in-
law, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Nicky was accompanied to the match by
his wife, Georgina.

She was on hand again last weekend when Nicky again wore the type of
t-shirt, only this time in pink. The pair joined the other Westlife
lads and partners for a posh dinner in London's trendy Taman-Gang
restaurant.

Source: sunday world
credit: [iluvwestlife]

* Moon River lyrics

Moon river, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style, some day.

Old dream maker, you heart breaker,
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

Two drifters, off to see the world,
There's such a lot of world, to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end,
Waitin' 'round the bend,
My Huckleberry friend, moon river,
And me

Moon river, wider than a mile,
I'm crossing you in style, some day.

Old dream maker, you heart breaker,
Wherever you're goin', I'm goin' your way.

Two drifters, off to see the world,
There's such a lot of world, to see.

We're after the same rainbow's end,
Waitin' 'round the bend,
My Huckleberry friend, moon river,
And me

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Brian Throws Molly's 3rd Party

The new-and-improved Brian McFadden has shown that not only has his exit from Westlife improved his looks and body but also his relationship with his beautiful daughters...

After Brian McFadden left Westlife stating he wanted to spend more time with his young family and then launched himself as a solo act many people criticized the apparent contradiction.

But Brian showed on Saturday that he is now fully in control of his time as he attended the 3rd Birthday for his daughter Molly in Funtasia in Bettystown.


Both Brian and Kerry beamed with happiness as Molly and Lily-Sue played with the children of other celebrities such as Ronan Keating and Liam Cunningham in the kid's fun park.

Kerry has become great mates with Liam since she started filming the movie Showbands in Galway with the actor.

Brian's parents and sister Susan attended the party as did Kerry's mother Sue Katona.

Happy Birthday Molly!

Source: showbizireland
Credit: [westlifes_castle]


Judges

We arrived at the audition dreaming of showbiz stardom but all those celebs who love to hate us can rest easy... it looks like we won't be competing with them after all.

The judges - Westlife - told us in no uncertain terms to forget it.

From more than 10,000 hopefuls who sang down the phone hoping to impress the band for their She's The One competition, we joined 40 finalists at the Marriott hotel in County Hall, London, for a live audition. The lucky winner will get to record a duet for the foursome's Rat Pack-style album and appear on a prime-time ITV1 special with them.

Alas, none of us will be that lady. Now there's a surprise!

While the lads - Kian Egan, 24, Shane Filan, 25, Nicky Byrne, 26, and 24-year-old Mark Feehily - stopped short of any caustic Simon Cowell-style put-downs, when we launched into our rendition of Uptown Girl they made it clear that we weren't quite what they were looking for.


And the marks reflected their lack of enthusiasm. Mark awarded us 10 out of 10 but only for effort. Honest Nicky gave us zero. Shane plumped for five points between us and Kian gave us another 10 - but only because he wanted to keep on our good side...

Sitting down for a chat with the boys, they described their selection process.

Kian said: "You were very good but whoever wins has to be an amazing singer and really want it.

"We're not just choosing someone on looks. And we're working with Simon Cowell so you never know - he may sign up the winning girl

Well, that made us feel a bit better - especially when we heard about some of the other hopefuls. Shane told us: "Me and Kian burst out laughing over one girl. I don't know why... Another was a little 'stage-schooly'. She was a bit of a tosser actually!"

And it gets worse...

"We had a pair of 42-year-old twins who sounded like a barbershop quartet. Very odd," laughed Shane.

"And there was one 10-year-old who turned up in a really short skirt singing Big Spender. We didn't know where to look. Her mum was really encouraging her but we were just thinking: 'Go home and dress like a 10-year-old'."

Luckily, most wannabes can expect a more polite response. "Some of these girls are fans so we're not going to tell them that they're crap," said Shane.

Another person the lads have nothing but kind words for is former bandmate Brian McFadden. "He looks great and is much happier. He just wasn't happy before," said Shane.

"He's writing about what he wants now - and if that's about how much he didn't like being in the band, then fair enough. But we will always be friends with him - we were all like a family."

Sadly, it's a family we won't be joining... just yet.

Source: Mirror


My hopes went west

When Westlife announced auditions for a girl to duet on their rat pack album, I knew that despite being tone-deaf I had to jump at the chance,

In order to make a lasting impression I decided to trill the B-side to their No1 Fool Again, a cheesy piece of Swedish pop called Tunnel Of Love.

I've warbled it plenty with my best mate Shona during boozy girls nights in - alas it's the tune Westlife cringe most about since they recorded it.

Nicky Byrne started it off and I joined in. Shaking his head Mark laughed: "I can't believe you actually like that song."

"She's not bad y'know lads" Lovely Nicky declared. "You could be the one." Added Shane.

"...but you're probably not," decided Kian.

Alas Westlife think they found the best singer in Manchester on Monday.

Shane confided. "We know deep down we've found someone who is The One."

"Wel, you've got my number..."

Source: Daily Star 25 August 2004


Molly In Trouble At School

Former Westlife star Brian McFadden has landed his 3-year-old daughter Molly in trouble at school. McFadden says, "Molly loves my new record Real To Me and knows all the words, but unfortunately she keeps shouting "bull***t" which is the first thing I say on the record. She even got caught saying it at school and had to go and stand in the naughty corner. Now I keep playing her the edited radio version in the hope that she'll forget that word"!

Source: Daily Mail

* Are you romantic? (Mark)

Wed, 1 Sep 2004

ARE YOU ROMANTIC?

>> I can be very romantic, but not all the time. i'm certainly no Romeo spouting off Shakespeare underneath a balcony! I think the most romantic thing I ever did was on Valentine's Day when i got a friend of mine to hide a ring & a rose underneath a bush in the park & then i took my girlfriend for a walk there. Just as we were passing the bush, I told her to look under it & she found the presents. She loved it.



DO YOU WORRY ABOUT YOUR BODY?

>> I try to look as toned as I can get & go to the gym if I get a chance, but to be honest, I'm quite happy with the state of my body. i'm always grateful for what I've got. When you see what some people have to deal with, having handicaps & things like that, then it makes you feel grateful just for being healthy.



DO YOU LIKE THE SHOWBIZ WORLD AROUND YOU?

>> Almost everything in the music indusrty & celebrity is fake. It can be hard to deal with--but it's easy to see through. i'm a good judge of character & i know when people are talking bull. I don't like to be impolite to people, no matter who they are, but sometimes I'll be listening to someone speak & I'll be thinking, "Shut up. Will ye? I don't want to hear this, & I don't want to be talking to you."



PEOPLE HAVE A VIEW OF YOU THAT YOU ARE INTROVERTED. IS THAT THE CASE?

>> People think i'm very shy & quiet but I'm not, really-- like isa id, I'm just not showbiz. i was never cut out to be the kind of person who lives this life. I don't want people to know everything I'm doing. I don't want to be in the tabloids like Bryan. I wouldn't handle it well.



IS THAT A PRIVACY THING OR ARE YOU TOO SENSITIVE TO BE A CELEB?

>> It could be that I'm too sensitive to be a celebrity, & it's easier to turn it into privacy issue. the whole scene is not for me. I'm nut cut out of the whole fame thing, really. I do play along with it, but it doesn't suit me at all.

Credit: [iluvwestlife]

* Brian's secret teeth treatment!

Tue, 07 Sep 2004

Look closely and you'll see that it's not just Brian Mcfadden's
name, hair, stubble and waistline that have changed since he jumped ship
from Westlife.

I've discovered that the hunky popstar has had one final treatment
to give his new solo career a bit more bite. Yes, he's also had his
teeth whitened - and just in time for all the publicity surrounding
his great new single Real To Me.

Brian, 24, told my spies: "I noticed with all my smoking they were
starting to get a bit yellow, so I only had one option, it really
hurt, actually, and I couldn't eat or drink anything for two whole
days."

Finally we discover how beautiful Brian stopped eating all the pies!

Source: unknown
credit: [westlifes_castle]


Tue, 07 Sep 2004
BLUE BITTER ABOUT RAT PACK LP

British boyband BLUE have hit out at pop rivals WESTLIFE, claiming
they planned to record a rat pack-style album before the Irish
group.

The MANDY band recently revealed their intention to release an LP
based on the hits of singing greats FRANK SINATRA, SAMMY DAVIS JR
and DEAN MARTIN ready for Christmas (04).

But Blue are upset - because they had the idea first.

Singer DUNCAN JAMES says, "We actually had an idea to do that album
before Westlife."

Blue are meanwhile rumoured to be splitting for good next year (05).
Music mogul LOUIS WALSH revealed last week (ends 03SEP04), "I know
for a fact Blue are going to break up.

"Lee will probably have a big solo career and the other three will
probably end up as TV presenters."

Source: http://www.contactmusic.com
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

Sat, 04 Sep 2004
All boys band Westlife rope in a girl member!

The all boys band Westlife have now found a new female singer to
collaborate with them in their forthcoming album.

The band members zeroed in on Joanne Hindley from Bolton, after
auditioning several girls."She has a brilliant voice. Simon Cowell
helped us choose, so you know she's gonna be good," band member
Shane Filen was quoted by Femalefirst as saying.

Although just one girl was chosen, the group said that they were
impressed with the high standard of talent throughout the auditions.

"The standard of entries has been really high," they were quoted as
saying.

Source: Webindia123.com
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

Thu, 02 Sep 2004
O2 in the Park to bring Dublin £á11.5m

Ireland's biggest free concert, O2 in the Park, has been estimated
to generate over £á11.5m for Dublin.

The concert is on September 4 in the Phoenix Park.

The £á11.5m figure was calculated by the Dublin Chamber of Commerce
and is based on a breakdown of food/drink consumption estimated at
£á4.7m, accommodation at £á2.65m and shopping at £á2m.

The stage for O2 in the Park is one of the largest ever erected for
a music event in Ireland. More than 500 crew, 20,000 feet of cable,
20 articulated lorries and three miles of fencing will be used to
construct the stage and prepare the site.

O2 in the Park will see more than 30 performers taking to the stage.
More than 80,000 music fans attended the event last year, prompting
organisers to make 100,000 free tickets available to meet demand for
this year's event.

Playing the O2 stage on September 4 are Westlife, Blue, Girls Aloud,
Brian McFadden, The 411, George Murphy, Mickey Harte, Aslan, Picture
House and more.

source: IrishExaminer.com
credit: [westlifes_castle]


Thu, 2 Sep 2004
Cowell's 'new boyband' will bravely battle Westlife

Simon Cowell is reportedly working on a secret project to create a
new boyband.

The Scottish lads will be called Braveheart, reports the Daily Star.

Cowell is said to be collaborating with Tim Byrne - who managed
Steps and A1 - to create the group to rival Westlife.

Source:Ananova
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

* Lift fear of Westlife's Nicky

Wed, 15 Sep 2004

Westlife's Nicky Byrne apparently had to change hotels in Las Vegas
because he doesn't like lifts that have no windows.

The Irish foursome were checked in to the Four Seasons hotel while
they shot their new swing video.

But their rooms were on the 48th floor and The Sun says he doesn't
like lifts without windows because he feels too enclosed.

The paper says he checked out and took a room on the tenth floor of
the adjoining Mandalay Bay hotel.

A source said: "Nicky was mortified. He can manage if it's not too
far but 48 floors is full on."

Westlife are in Vegas to perform at the World Music Awards.

Source: www.ananova.com
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

Mon, 13 Sep 2004
Las Vegas Newspaper (About Westlife)

Chalk up another Vegas victory in the international glitter-and-glamour sweepstakes.
Monte Carlo's loss is Vegas' gain this week at the World Music Awards, which ABC will telecast live at 6 p.m. Wednesday from the Thomas & Mack Center. (Naturally, we Pacific time zone types will get the program in prime-time tape delay format.)
For 15 years, the awards show -- which honors the world's best-selling recording artists -- emanated from a swank 900-seat venue in Monte Carlo.

But ABC "wanted the show live," explains Melissa Corken, the awards show's creator and executive producer. And because the broadcast would show up on the American network a month after the event -- and a month after media coverage of same -- "we lost a little heat," Corken acknowledges.

And while "it's hard to beat the sparkle and glamour of Monte Carlo," Corken says, "if any city could match it, it would be Las Vegas."

The move to Las Vegas has "upgraded our production a thousand percent," she notes, accounting for a bigger stage, equipped with futuristic video screens.
"Vegas makes everything easier," according to the producer.

Including honoring Caesars Palace headliner Celine Dion with a Diamond Award, commemorating sales of more than a hundred million albums.

The World Music Awards began courting Dion for the event a few years ago, but she couldn't travel to Monte Carlo to accept the award because of her ongoing Caesars stint. Now that the event has moved to Las Vegas, she can. (Oscar-winning Michael Douglas is expected to present Dion's award.)

Turning to another Vegas showcase, CBS' upcoming "Dr. Vegas" series returns this week to shoot more Strip vistas. On a previous visit, cameras captured on night-time panoramas; this time the focus is on sunrise and sunset views.

And it's all over but the editing at "The Club," Spike TV's reality series, which completed a six-week shoot Saturday at Ice.

Crews will return for pick-up shots this weekend, but the eleven remote cameras installed for the show are being removed, according to marketing director Marc Jay, who convinced producers to set the show at Ice in the first place.

"I think the first couple weeks" the cameras were there, "people didn't act the same," Jay notes, citing undeniable self-consciousness. Eventually, however, club personnel got "so used the cameras being here, it's part of the staff."

As for what viewers will see once the show debuts Oct. 12, "it's definitely going to make fantastic television," Jay predicts -- especially in the 10-part series' fifth episode, when the owner arrives and fires his entire seven-member management team.
The reality beat goes on with KAOS Entertainment's one-hour Travel Channel special devoted to the annual Las Vegas BikeFest, which brings thousands of motorcycle enthusiasts to Glitter City.

"Las Vegas is such an exciting place to be," says producer Jeff Copeland, who's been interviewing bikers across country about their reasons for coming to Las Vegas for the event, which runs Thursday through Sunday.

As one rider told him, " `If you can't have fun in Vegas, you just can't have fun,' " Copeland recalls.

In addition to focusing on two biker couples -- one from Arizona, one from Hawaii -- planning to ride in Friday's Poker Run, the show will capture the wedding of a St. Louis couple at the Little White Chapel.

Two Canadian documentaries also turn up on this week's location calendar.
"Las Vegas/Quebec" profiles French Canadians living in Las Vegas -- many of them working in various Cirque du Soleil productions on the Strip or with Quebec native Celine Dion at Caesars.

"We are telling the story of these people," according to production coordinator Arianne Dorval of La Presse-Telé, which is producing the documentary for Canada's French national television network. This week's locations include All-American and Sunset parks.

And Vancouver-based Citytv visits Las Vegas for an episode of "Pink Planet," a 13-episode series aimed at gay and lesbian travelers.
"Pink Planet's" Southern Nevada itinerary ranges from Lake Las Vegas to Red Rock Canyon, local dance clubs to "Zumanity," according to producer John Thornton.
And a music video for the the U.K. boy band Westlife -- which just hit No. 1 on Britain's first official music download chart -- also hits town this week. A one-day second-unit shoot is planned for the video, "Smile," which aims to capture a Rat Pack-era Vegas vibe.

Returning to Vegas-based projects, four reality shows continue production this week: A&E's "Caesars" at Caesars Palace, Discovery's "American Casino" at Station Casinos' Green Valley Ranch in Henderson, the syndicated "Ultimate Poker Challenge" at downtown's Plaza and the Food Network's documentary on the imminent arrival of Chef Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill at Caesars.

Speaking of the Food Network, cameras will roll Sunday afternoon at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as seven culinary students battle for the right to represent Las Vegas in next month's "Almost Famous" chef's contest to be held at Mandalay Bay.
Local finalists Lindsay Harbrook, Shannon Kuprewicz, Heidi Apso, Josh Green, Christopher Lindsay, Xing Han Ye and Stephan Gallanders will cook up a storm from noon to 2 p.m. at UNLV's William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration.
Four local chefs -- Lupo's Mark Ferguson, Valentino's Luciano Pellegrini, Aureole's Philippe Rispoli and Panevino's Vincenzo LoVerso -- join John Fredericks of KVBC-TV, Channel 3, on the judging panel.

The winner of Sunday's cook-off will compete against students from Chicago, Dallas, New York, Miami and San Francisco. Las Vegas-based Media Underground will provide camera and editing facilities for the local challenge and the October nationals, both of which are produced by Robin Leach's Leach Entertainment Enterprises for an hourlong fall Food Network special

* After Brian McFadden

After Brian McFadden left, a lot of people thought the band's days were numbered and even though they're very much together they still want to prove the doubters wrong - this would have been the ideal platform from which to do that."

The band - aka Kian Egan, 24, Shane Filan, 25, Nicky Byrne, 26, and 24-year-old Mark Feehily - have been holed up in Vegas's swanky Four Seasons hotel with their partners and have barely ventured out.

And although they attended Clive Davis's private drinks reception, the lads failed to go on to the main dinner in his honour - even though the likes of Usher and Avril Lavigne showed up.

Our insider adds: "The band have a video to shoot out in Vegas for their Ratpack album but this has really thrown a dampener over the whole trip.
"They usually love a good party and everyone expected them to be out on the town but that hasn't happened.

"They feel as though they were promised the Earth but their performance will only be seen by countries that request a broadcast with them in it - and there's every likelihood the only people that will see them perform will be back home in their native Ireland.

"Obviously, communications have broken down somewhere - their involvement was oversold but, at the end of the day, it's a great place for them to network."
Let's hope your luck improves in the casinos, lads...

Source: Mirror

Thu, 16 Sep 2004
Top-selling artists descend on Vegas for 2004 World Music Awards

LAS VEGAS - Usher didn't need any "Confessions" to prove he's the
world's best male artist.

The singer earned three 2004 World Music Awards on Wednesday, while
Outkast - the big winner at this year's Grammys - also took home
three awards.

For the first time, the awards show was being broadcast from the
United States after previously being held in Monaco.

Buxom actress Pamela Anderson wore a tight, black miniskirt to
present Usher with his first award and joked with the audience about
searching for a boyfriend.

"So, Pamela, I don't mean to start any rumors, but I'm single,"
Usher told the former Baywatch star.

The two-hour show, which honors the world's best-selling recording
artists, was broadcast live on ABC throughout the United States,
Mexico and Canada from the Thomas & Mack Center at the University of
Nevada, Las Vegas. An additional hour filled with awards and
performances by international artists was taped for a later
worldwide broadcast to more than 150 countries.

Show officials predicted more than 1 billion people would watch the
show.

Besides world's best male artist, Usher was honored as best pop male
artist and best R&B artist. His latest album, "Confessions," has
sold more than 5 million copies.

Outkast won for world's best group, best pop group and best rap/hip-
hop artist. Norah Jones also was a big winner, winning awards for
world's best female artist and best pop female artist.

Other winners were Avril Lavigne, Evanescence, Hilary Duff, Kanye
West and Maroon 5.

The show included a number of performances by winners, including
Usher, Kanye West and Outkast. Whitney Houston performed a medley
of "I Believe In You and Me" and "I Will Always Love You" as part of
a tribute to recording executive Clive Davis, who received a special
award for outstanding contribution to the music industry.

A vamped Lavigne also performed her hit song "My Happy Ending"
donning a long dress with black boots and a flowing, curvy hairstyle.

Celine Dion received the Diamond Award, which honors artists who
have sold more than 100 million albums in their career. Past
recipients include Rod Stewart and Mariah Carey.

The awards were presented to the world's top-selling artists in
various musical categories, along with top-selling artists by
country.

Those winners were: Delta Goodrem (Australia); Dido (United
Kingdom), Westlife (Ireland); DJ Tiesto (Netherlands); Ruslana
(Ukraine); Philip Kirkorov (Russia); Sarah Connor (Germany); Latifah
(Africa); The Rasmus (Scandinavia); Eros Ramazzotti (Italy); DJ Bobo
(Switzerland); Alejandro Sanz (Spain); Kyo (France); Jay Chou
(China); and Hikaru Utada (Japan).

The winners were determined by record sales. The International
Federation of the Phonographic Industry provides the results of top-
selling recording groups and artists. In Italy and Spain, the
results are supplied by the leading national music magazines, Musica
e dischi and Showpress.

Source:Contra Costa Times
Credit: [westlifes_castle]


Thu, 16 Sep 2004
NEWS-Egan fascinated movie star!

As always been,sun and hot beach can make spinning round head very
easily.How does it feel could speak member of breaking boyband
westlife,Kian Egan,24 who have visited sunny beaches in Los Angeles
during work on new groups album.

Santa monicas beach was place kian known by his love for
surfing,visited in company of his bandmate mark Feehily and later
joined Nicky ¨Byrne with slicky wife Georgina Byrne and also newly-
haired Shane Fillan with his cute blond wife Gillian.

Bottles of beer,funny surfing and sweet kisses under hot sun was plan
of westlifes hunks and their ladies for many hours.

But byrne´s and Fillans wifes werent one women presented sexy curved
bodies in bikinis.Next sunny loving star who joined West camp was
dark Angel star,Jessica Alba,23 who in orange skirt and brown bikines
fascinated mens visitors on beach.Brunette movie star known mainly by
much successful series Dark Angel,Flipper and new movie Honey,was
also fascinated by westlifes star Egan and she gave it obviously to
show.

West gang spent hours on beach by playing volleyball,surfing and
drinking beer until hot guy Egan and smart movie star Alba left band
for private walking on beach.In backs eyes of beach lovers as well
but these two ignored all except each other.

"Kian had obviously eyes only for jessica and she tried turn him on
in waves.They left others and walked round beach and then joined them
back in hour."close visitor on beach that time told us.

Whats more interesting that egan is going out over year with sexy
babe Jodie Albert who playes shop girl in teen soap Hollyoaks.This
couple meant to be together over years but egan didnt pretend his
passions for sexy Alba.

"Me and Jessica known each other over six years since the very start
of westlife.She has been filming first serial that time.We´re close
friends but both have partners."Egan told to daily mirror´s phone
girl.by last reports Alba is again single so maybe there will be yet
moreto see from.

Source:movies-star
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

Thu, 16 Sep 2004
Westlife frank on age look.

WESTLIFE are getting older - and so is their audience, the boys haveadmitted. And now the fab four - all aged 24 or 25 - have shaken offtheir Boy Band image. To prove it, just a day after they finishedrecording their new Sinatra-inspired album - Allow Us To Be Frank -they visited a radio station for the Over-50s last week to plug it.Shane Filan told listeners to Birmingham's SagaFM: "We all love thatRatpack era. These songs are classic songs - they are timeless. "We don't have 11, 12 and 13-year-old fans any more. Our age groupis 16 to 80. A lot of older women love our stuff and lots of hennights take place at our concerts." Kian Egan reckons they have donethe right thing and added: "Together with Simon Cowell and LouisWalsh we came up with some great tracks and we believe it is ourbest album yet."

Source:mirror online
Credit: [iluvwestlife]