Westlife

"> Friday, June 25, 2004

Top girl Kerry's just like any other mum

Appearing in I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here made Kerry McFadden
Queen of the Jungle and a millionaire.

But Warrington-born Kerry is clearly keeping her feet on the ground.
While she can afford the best she was spotted this weekend splashing
out in her home town branch of Topshop no less.

And with her daughters in tow and shopping bags hanging off her arms
she looked just like any other mum. Top girl.

Source: icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk
Credit: [Westlifes_castle]

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Ground Force star Tommy Walsh and breakfast show DJ Jono Coleman
have jointly been voted Celebrity Dad of the Year.

Walsh, father of three, and Coleman, who has two children, beat the
likes of Hell's Kitchen's Gordon Ramsay, fellow chef Jamie Oliver
and Tony Blair in the poll.

Other names in the Epson top ten include Chancellor Gordon Brown,
Sir Bob Geldof and former Westlife star Bryan McFadden.

Garden makeover builder Walsh, father of Charlotte, 16, Natalie, 13,
and John Joe, 10, said: "My kids are pleased for me but they've
also blackmailed me.

"They said if I don't get my son a dog for his birthday they'll
dish the dirt on me."

The 48-year-old added: "If my kids want a straight answer they come
to me because they know they will get one.

"The important thing is to be honest with them."

Coleman, who presents the Breakfast Show on Heart 106.2 FM with
Harriet Scott, and is the father of Oscar, 10, and Emily, seven,
said: "My kids didn't believe it and said `dad, you've obviously
been voting for yourself'.

"Being a good dad means giving 150%."

The 47-year-old, who went from 22 stone to 16 stone when he won ITV1
show Celebrity Fit Club, said: "Losing the weight helped me get much
more involved.

"If Oscar wants to play football or Emily wants to ride her bike I
have a lot more energy and am much more agile now."

The top 10 final rankings were :

1. Jono Coleman/Tommy Walsh (20% each)

2. Gordon Ramsay (14%)

3. Jamie Oliver (11%)

4. Gordon Brown (8%)

5. Sir Bob Geldof (6%)

6. Richard Madeley (5%)

7. Bryan McFadden (4%)

8. Eamonn Holmes (3%)

9. Neil Fox (2%)

10. Tony Blair (1%)

11. Various (6%)

Source:http://news.scotsman.com
Credit: [Westlifes_castle]

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Wednesday, June 23, 2004

LITTLE MISS CELEBRITY

Kirsteen Lupton was born with her kidneys on the outside of her body which has meant many painful ops. Now she is sharing her experiences with the rich and the famous to win support for the hospital that saved her life
By Cath Bennett

MIXING with the rich and famous at glitzy events is nothing new for Kirsteen Lupton. But as far as the celebrities are concerned, it's the courageous 10-year-old who is the real star.

She is making a name for herself persuading the likes of Bryan McFadden, Cat Deeley and Ralf Schumacher to part with their cash to help sick children.

Kirsteen, from Milngavie, near Glasgow, was born with her bladder outside her body, a debilitating condition which has required extensive surgery.

But the bubbly youngster has not let this stop her following her dream of becoming a television personality.

Kirsteen has done extensive publicity work to help raise funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH), where she has been a patient for the last five years.

Earlier this year she introduced the Write4GOSH Awards and next month she will be talking at the glittering Silverstone Grand Prix Ball.

Kirsteen said: 'Cat Deeley is my idol and I would love to be a television presenter just like her.

'I was in the advert for Great Ormond Street Hospital andwas also in a book called Working With Children.

'I've had the chance to meet a few famous people Cat Deeley, Michael Aspel and Nanette Newman.

'Next month I'm also going to meet Ralf Schumacher, as well as Bryan and Kerry McFadden. It's all really exciting.' Kirsteen was born with bladder exstrophy, a condition which affects just one in 40,000 births.

The condition occurs when the pubic bone fails to close around the bladder, which forms on the outside of the abdominal wall without being covered by skin.

Doctors are baffled by what causes the condition, which must then be treated surgically in a series of complex operations.

For the first six weeks of her life Kirsteen had to wear a metal bar between her legs to allow her bones to heal.

When she was four she had major surgery at Yorkhill Hospital in Glasgow, and in 1999 was referred to Great Ormond Street in London one of only two places in Britain properly equipped to deal with bladder exstrophy.

Unfortunately doctors uncovered complications, and for several weeks Kirsteen had to be fed through a drip in her neck until she was strong enough to be taken into theatre.

Her father Martin, 43, a police officer, said: 'That was probably one of the worst moments of my life. Kirsteen was screaming 'save me, save me' as she was pushed along the corridor in the trolley.

'The two nurses with her said they had never seen a child so ill.'

Kirsteen's final operation was a success and she is now completely continent.

She will have to catheterise regularly for the rest of her life, but this will not restrict her growth and she should still be able to have children.

IT was while Kirsteen was in Great Ormond Street Hospital that she was first thrust into the limelight. She was filmed by a crew who were making a n advertisement to raise funds for the hospital and is now recognised by many as the little girl smiling up from her wheelchair at the end.

Kirsteen's confidence and outgoing personality prompted the hospital to request she introduce their Write4GOSH awards at the Hard Rock Cafe in London.

The competition honours children who have written stories for youngsters in hospital and the judges include Cherie Blair, Cat Deeley and Nanette Newman.

Kirsteen said: 'I was really excited about meeting Cat Deeley I absolutely love her in Stars In Their Eyes.

'I wrote my speech myself mydad just checked it through and they told me to add a couple of things. I wasn't nervous at all, it was really good fun.'

On the back of her success, Kirsteen is now giving a speech at the illustrious Grand Prix Ball, where she will tell the assembled celebrities about her experiences and encourage them to give money to help sick children.

Her audience will include Formula One drivers and owners, Jodie and Jemma Kidd, Bryan and Kerry McFadden, and, of course, Cat Deeley.

Kirsteen's friends at Craigdhu Primary don't see her as any different because of her illness, but they do envy her celebrity status.

Kirsteen, who is in Primary Six, said: 'We never really talk about my condition but I'm quite happy to tell people about it.

'The main thing really is allthe famous people I've met a few of my school friends have even asked me to get them autographs.'

For more information about Bladder Exstrophy call BEES (Bladder Exstrophy and Epispadias Support) on 0161 443 3174.

Tickets for the Grand Prix Ball are still available, with all proceeds going to Great Ormond Street Hospital. For details contact GOSH Children's Charity on 020 7916 5678.

Credit: [crazy4nicholasbyrne]
Dated: June 15th 04

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Tuesday, June 22, 2004

Kian's Sunday World Column: "'Idol' A Big Fan Of Ours"

HI, KIAN HERE
HE'S become one of the biggest stars himself in the showbiz world today, but Pop Idol judge Simon Cowell is still playing a major role here in Westlife.

Simon is the man who signed us up and set us on the road to fame and fortune along with Louis.

He's the guy who has had a big say in what we've recorded through the years. And he's the guy who backed us when Bryan left the group.
We still laugh with him over the story of Shane. Fans might remember how he didn't like the original line-up of Westlife when Louis first enticed him to Dublin to check us out.

Although he recognised that we had potential, Simon insisted that there should be some changes. At that time, we wasn't jumping up and down with excitement about Shane.

Louis, however, thought Shane was an amazing singer and insisted on keeping him.

The line-up was changed, but Shane stayed.

And when Simon returned to see the group he loved us - including the blond singer. Shane had dyed his hair! We never let him forget that.
Now Simon is teaming up with us to plan our next album.
We're set to have meetings with him in the next couple of weeks. And we're determined to make the new album our best ever.

Source: Sunday World
Credit:sherri @westlifearemadforit: id misfit_lady2003
:[crazy4nicholasbyrne]

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Sunday, June 20, 2004

Assault at Westlife gig

Two Northern Ireland women said they were punched, kicked and spat on by a group of young teenage girls at a Westlife concert.

The sisters - one of whom had flown from Spain especially for the concert - said they were appalled by the conduct of staff who they said stood by and let the incident happen.

The police said they were investigating a complaint of an assault at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast during the concert on Sunday night.

Frances and Emma Stroud from Belfast had spent £36 each on the Westlife tickets and had attempted to take up their seats at the concert.

However, they said three girls joined another girl in the row and the four attempted to share two seats.

We asked her to stop, but she then hit me a full dig on the nose and whacked me round the side of the face with a plastic glow stick

Frances Stroud

Frances, a 22-year-old trainee teacher, told BBC News Online she and her sister had been completely humiliated by the entire incident.

"The four girls were sharing two seats between them and the whole way through the concert they were digging Emma in the side and trying to push her out of the way because there wasn't enough room."

She said one of the girls, who was aged about 13, was swearing at her and her sister and pushed 18-year-old Emma.

'Asked to see tickets'

"The two of us went flying out of the row and she then punched Emma in the side.

"We asked her to stop, but she then hit me a full dig on the nose and whacked me round the side of the face with a plastic glow stick.
Frances Stroud said she was punched, kicked and bitten

"I tried to take it off her, but then her friends got up and started to punch me in the face."

Frances said two security guards pushed her and Emma into the row.

"I said: 'I can't move in, because there is no room for me to move into'. The security guard screamed in my face: 'If you don't get into the row I'm going to throw you out'."

She told the security guard about being punched in the face and being hit with the glow stick. She said the guard told her "he was not really bothered".

Another member of staff asked to see their tickets and was satisfied they were in the correct seats. However, when the younger girls said they did not have any tickets for the seats they were just told to squeeze up.

They said they would not hit back because the girls were much younger than they were.

'In a terrible state'

Frances said that in a further bout of aggression from the young girl, the security guards "were all standing there laughing".

"I went over to them and asked were they not watching this, and one of them said: 'We don't really care - cheer up and give us a song'.

"The girl was spitting in my face and I put my arm up to stop her from punching me - I couldn't hit her back because she was only young - and she bit my arm."
Westlife were playing two nights at the Odyssey arena

The girls said the security guards dragged them out of their seats and rushed them out of the Odyssey just before the end of the concert.

"Westlife were right in front of us on the stage and would have seen this big rumpus going on."

The women's mother, a school principal, said she had to comfort the girls during the night because "they were in a terrible state".

She said she had contacted the Odyssey on two occasions to make a complaint, but was told she "would have to put something in writing".

A spokesman for the Odyssey said: "We are fully investigating this internally.

"We have established a number of facts, including the fact that the incident was reported to the police.

"Unfortunately, the lady who took the incident report is off for a few days and we are trying to contact her."

He said the Odyssey intended to cooperate with any police investigation into the incident.

credit:[MrNickyByrne]

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Kian's receding hairline is worrying fans

Byline: MAEVE QUIGLEY

IT looks like Bryan McFadden may not be the only thing to leave Westlife this year.

Eagle-eyed fans of the remaining fab four have noticed how Kian Egan is gradually losing his blond locks.

Our series of pictures of Kian's crown since he hit the big time show as their success grew his hairline receded.

One devoted fan said: "It's getting noticeable that Kian is starting to lose his hair. Over the past few months you can seen that his hair is thinning at the back and his hairline at the front is moving further and further back.

"Although he does his best to cover things up with trendy hairstyles, the writing seems to be on the wall."

Celebrity hairdresser Paul Stafford said it was inevitable that at least one member of Westlife would fall victim to the male pattern baldness gene.

Belfast-based Paul, who boasts Ash and Sharon Corr amongst his clientele, explained: "When you consider the large number of men who start losing their hair at a very early age, and given that there were five boys in this band, the odds always were that male pattern baldness was bound to affect one of them.

"If I was Kian I would go for a Sting-style crop or get my hair cut short like Ronan Keating did and make the most of things.

"Cover-ups are noticeable and sad - if he resorts to that he will lose fans and credibility."

Paul did have some good news for Kian - who is still only 24 - there are ways to halt the slide and diet was one of the most important.

"There are supplements on the market now and different products like Mioxon and Regain and although they don't cure baldness they preserve what you have got left.

"Changing his diet would help - reducing red meat intake and eating more seeds, nuts, soybeans and fresh vegetables would be important."

Unfortunately stress is another factor which needs to be reduced - not easy if you're a lusted-after hunk in the world's number one boy band.

Source:Sunday Mirror (London, England)
Dated: 6/13/2004
Credit: [crazy4nicholasbyrne]

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Westlife to headline Ireland free concert

Byline: EXCLUSIVE by PAUL MARTIN

WESTLIFE are to headline Ireland's biggest ever free concert, the Mirror can reveal.

The stars have been in secret negotiations to perform at the 02 In The Park spectacular in September.

Girls Aloud, InShaneica Simpson and Blue are also expected to thrill a 100,000-strong crowd at the Phoenix Park gig.

Last night a source close to Westlife revealed: "The lads would love to perform and obviously they would be the headline act.

"It's going to be the biggest and best 02 In The Park ever.

"Nicky, Mark, Shane and Kian have just completed their most successful tour ever and they want to celebrate and say thanks to all the fans who came to see them by performing free. They have be on stage in front of huge crowds all over the world but this will be their finest hour right in their own back yard.

"It's the equivalent of 10 nights at the Point all in one go so they are very excited about it. With the tickets being free the demand is going to be phenomenal."

The lads now just need to get the final details confirmed before the official line-up for the Dublin spectacular is unveiled next month.

Source:The Mirror (London, England)
Dated: 6/11/2004
Credit: [crazy4nicholasbyrne]

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Pictures of Bry and Kez

Click Here!

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For Fans out there to send in your birthday wishes to Mr Nicky Byrne

Send your birthday messages to this address:
nickybyrne_birthd@hotmail.com

Credit: Debbie [crazy4nicholasbyrne]

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Thursday, June 10, 2004

Bry to start new solo career??

IT'S not the stuff that famous boy band feuds are made of but former
Westlife star Bryan McFadden has been given the seal of approval for
his solo career - by his old manager, of all people.

Louis Walsh has revealed for the first time that he believes Bryan
will be a massive star despite walking out on his band earlier this
year.

And Walsh, famed for his tough talking in the music business, even
reckons Bryan could be BIGGER than he was in Westlife.

He told me: "To be completely honest I think Bryan can be a really
big success and have some huge hits.

"He has the voice, the personality and the connections to go all the
way to big things.

"The chances are he is going to be the next Robbie Williams, I really
believe that.

"People think that I have a problem with him because he left
Westlife but the guy has talent, there's no denying it." When Bryan
quit the band to concentrate on his family Walsh warned that he
would lose out on a fortune.

But the Dubliner has been working in the studio and is preparing to
launch a solo career at the end of the year.

Walsh added: "I honestly thought Bryan was just going to take his
foot off the pedal but he is so focused and determined.

"I know for a fact he's been working on some really strong songs and
isrecording them.

"I'd say by the end of this year he'll have had his first solo hit
and will be ready for action.

"Robbie better watch his back because Bryan has all the makings of a
major solo star."

Despite Walsh's complimentary remarks about Bryan's career prospects
he'snot tempted to manage him.

He said: "He's his own man and I'm more interested in managing
Westlife. I think Bryan needs to take a new direction now."

source: Mirror
credit: [Westlife's Castle]

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Wednesday, June 09, 2004

Gillian talks about life being a Westlife wife

To an outsider, Gillian Filan has it all: looks, money, a thriving
career, a glamorous lifestyle and, to top it off, a superstar
husband.

Her wedding last Christmas to Westlife singer Shane Filan made the
national and international headlines.

To an outsider, the couple live in a world of their own.

Their nearly-finished mansion in Carraroe has become a regular
attraction for Westlife fans. Its imposing presence under the eyes
of
Benbulben is enough to make even the passing motorist stop to take a
look.

Fans regularly stop outside the gates, climb onto the roof of their
cars to get a peak of the building work.

On one occasion, the couple met fans walking around inside their
house, when they arrived to check-up on its progress.

The house has 24-hour security but it still doesn't stop the fans
flocking to see the couple's home.

Gillian said: "Sometimes it does get a bit much. We don't
appreciate people walking around our house. It is going to be our
home someday. But at the end of the day, the fans will do what they
want and we can't stop them."

The couple will be moving into the mansion, termed "Westfork",
during the first two weeks in August.

"It's our dream home and we are looking forward to finally moving
in. It has moved on a lot in the last couple of months and it is at
its final stages."

The mere mention of December 28, 2003 brings a sparkle to Gillian's
eyes. It was the day she got married last year. The ceremony took
place in romantic Ballintubber Abbey followed by a lavish reception
in Ashford Castle in Cong, County Mayo.

"I woke up that day and thought things were going to go wrong for
me. I was so worried. But the day itself was perfect, I couldn't
have asked for a more perfect wedding day. It was an amazing
experience."

And what of married life? "It is absolutely brilliant. The first six
months of married life have been amazing. I don't have any
complaints. I love him and it's great to be married to the man I
always wanted to be married to.

"I recommend it!", she chuckles.

Yet Gillian, from Maugheraboy, has no intention of living off her
husband's success. She is very much her own woman. She has a
business degree from Sligo IT and is putting it to use by running
two
Morgan fashion shops, one on Castle Street in Sligo, the other on
Shop Street, Galway.

But no matter which shop she's in, the fans constantly ask her about
the band. This is something she's had no choice but to get used to.

"The fans are great. So far, I haven't met a bad fan."

Now that she's become Mrs Gillian Filan, the fans have started to
ask for her autograph. She described how sometimes she gets
bombarded
by fans but she takes it all in her stride.

When she turned 25 two weeks ago, fans came into the two shops to
give her birthday presents and cards.

"I was shocked at this. I don't deserve anything because I'm not
in the band. But it was a lovely gesture all the same.

"Sometimes fans come into the shops and look around. You can tell
they are plucking up the courage to ask about the band."

Her work at Morgan sees her travelling all over the country. At the
time of this interview, she was just after arriving in Sligo from
Limerick for her sister Joanna's jewellery party and that evening
she was driving to Belfast.

Living with the constant attention is part and parcel of being a
Westlife wife. Although, when the couple started going out first,
Gillian shunned the limelight.

"It was my choice to keep our relationship a secret. My nephews
didn't even know. I wanted to be able to go to college in a
tracksuit and with no make-up on. I didn't want people looking at me
differently. I was there to get my degree and I didn't want to have
to deal with that as well."

But now things have changed and Gillian is keenly aware that her
appearance must be maintained at all times.

"The attention now doesn't bother me. I don't care what people say
because they are going to say what they want anyway."

At the end of the day, when the day jobs are over, the couple like
to
relax in front of a fire and enjoy meals together.

"You could find Shane in the kitchen rustling up a meal or cleaning
around the house. At the end of the day, we have to do the same
things normal couples do."

Source: Sligo Weekender
Credit: [Westlife's Castle]

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Saturday, June 05, 2004

Westlife gig ruined for young fan (11)

A Little girl's dream Westlife concert was ruined when a cruel fan snatched a coveted drumstick which the band had given to her.

Shauna O'Regan (11) had front row seats for the show in Dublin's
Point Theatre on Wednesday night when her favourite Westlifer Nicky Byrne threw her one of the drumsticks.

But a woman behind Shauna jumped forward and seized it.

"Shauna was so upset by what that woman did," said her furious mum
Jennifer. " During the last few songs, Nicky came to the front of
the stage and said 'Who will I give this to?"

Nicky tossed the stick down to Shauna, but the prize was snatched by a woman in her early 20s who didnt care about upsetting the young girl from Clonshaugh, Dublin.

"Security guards saw how heartbroken she was and they tried to
reason with the woman," added Jennifer. "But the woman actually
turned around and said 'I dont care about that little bitch."

Speaking yesterday on Gerry Ryan's radio show, Shauna's dad Colm
praised security men who jumped up onto the stage after the concert and got another drumstick for Shauna.

But the night had already been wrecked.

To add insult to injury, Shauna's family saw the woman on the way
home and the woman beeped and waved the stick at Shauna.

Little Shauna sobbed: "I danced for Nicky all night so that he would notice me- and he did.

"But then it was ruined."

Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

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Kerry has quit booze for Bry

The lovely Kerry McFadden has quit drinking to help her hubby Bryan lose weight. The Queen of the jungle reckons Bryan's dramatic weight loss over the past months is down to him cutting out his favourite drink, Guinness.

To spur him on Kerry has also gone on the wagon.

My man behind the bar said: "All they drink now is fizzy water and the very odd vodka and coke.

"Kerry is being really supportive and thinks if she gives up booze Bryan won't be as tempted to have a few drinks either".

Now that's what I call team work!

Source: Irish Mirror
Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

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Bryan McFadden warned to diet or die young

Former boyband star Bryan McFadden shed an amazing 13 kilograms in four months after being warned he'd die young if he stayed fat. The 24-year-old - who quit Irish group Westlife earlier this year - slimmed down his bulky frame after being warned by health guru Gillian McKeith his alcohol and junk food fuelled lifestyle made him a prime candidate for a heart attack. Bryan, married to former Atomic Kitten singer Kerry, says, "Gillian's blunt and I like that, she told me: 'How can you be a heart-throb? You're podgy with a big beer belly.' "I was a bit taken aback, but straight talking was what I needed to make me sit up and take notice. I've not touched a drop of alcohol in two months and I'm proud that it was so simple."

Source: www.soundbuzz.com
Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

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My secret diet: BRY ON HOW HE'S SHED TWO STONE

FORMER Westlife star Bryan McFadden has found a sure fire way of
slimming down.

The revolutionary diet he discovered is based on bacon sandwiches, beer and cigarettes - and it involves giving them all up.

Bryan has shed two stone in a month by cutting out the booze-ups and his favourite toastie snacks and keeping his smoking habit down to 10 a day.

He's added two hours of pumping iron to his daily routine to keep
his weight down.

A source close to McFadden, 24, told the Irish Mirror: "It's been
the most successful diet he has ever done.

"Pals have even been joking with him that he should call it the
McFatkins diet - a cross between his name and the famous Atkins.

"He's completely changed his lifestyle over the past month and wants to get in amazing shape.

"The first thing he did is hire a personal trainer in Dublin to get him fit again. He gets up at 9am every morning and goes to the gym where he does all the running machines and also some weights.

"Even when he is in London he goes to the gym and works out for at least two hours.

"He's like a man possessed and he hasn't missed one day."

McFadden was teased about his weight during his childhood and he
suffered a barrage of jibes from the media when he found fame with Westlife. But since quitting the band earlier this year he has vowed to get in the best shape of his life as he plots a solo career.

The source added: "After hiring a trainer the next thing Bryan
decided to do was stop boozing.

"Everyone knows he likes to have a good time and have a few drinks to relax, especially when he is out.

"But he told everyone that he was cutting down to a maximum of five pints a week and not to put temptation in his path.

"He's stuck to his guns and hardly touched a drop of booze over the past four weeks. He was out at a club the other night and just had mineral water. He's drinking five pints of water a day."

Bryan also made the ultimate sacrifice - his favourite snack of
bacon sandwiches.

The source added: "That's been the hardest bit for him. He stopped buying bread at the supermarket and his wife Kerry is keeping him away from it too.

"That's the main similarity with the Atkins diet because you are not allowed bread on that either, although you would be allowed bacon.

"But Bryan has pioneered his own version of the diet and made it
work for him. He is also staying away from fried chicken and fast
food such as curries, burgers and chips."

The star, father of Molly, two, and 15-month-old Lilly Sue, has also halved his smoking habit after years puffing his way through 20 cigarettes a day.

Even at the height of his Westlife fame Bryan was frequently
photographed with a cigarette in his mouth.

The source added: "It's a healthy mind and a healthy body for Bryan. He's tried to quit smoking before and it hasn't worked.

"But this time he is trying to cut back rather than give up
altogether and he looks much healthier for it.

"He knows there would be no point going to the gym for two hours a day if he was smoking 20 fags.

"Bryan's also playing football every week which he enjoys and helps keep him fit too.

"He's doing a great job and all his pals and family are helping him by making sure temptation is never put in his path."

McFATKINS WEIGHT LOSS PROGRAMME

TWO-hour daily gym sessions
FIVE pieces of fresh fruit a day
NO more than five pints of beer each week
CIGARETTES cut back from 20 to 10 a day
FIVE pints of water a day
NO bread or bacon
NO fried chicken
NONE of his favourite fast food burger and chips
NONE of his favourite dinner chicken tikka masala
TWO hours of football a week

Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

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Meow

KERRY McFadden has hit out again at Jenny Frost who replaced her in Atomic Kitten. She says the blonde singer hasn't got what it takes to be a catwalk model.

We revealed last week how Jenny, 26, has been signed up by Premier Model Management, who also represent Naomi Campbell.

But Kezza says: "I can see her doing photographic work and I think that's why a lot of companies are interested in her. But I don't think she is calm enough to perform on the catwalk."

Source: Mirror
Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

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Kian's column in Sunday World

Firstly, let me make it very clear that, despite reports in the
British papers last Sunday, I am NOT leaving Westlife for Jodi.

There is absolutely no truth in the report that Jodi has been
putting pressure on me to spend more time with her.

Jodi has a very successful career of her own and we're both very
happy in the work we do.

Obviously, like any couple, it would be great to have more time to spend together. But most people have busy lives nowadays, so we're no different to any other couple.

This is the way it's always been in the relationship and we know
that things will eventually slow down and we'll have all the time in the world.

We would be mad to give up the great opportunities we have at the
moment.

Something that wasn't rubbish was the reaction we got when we hit
Dublin this week with the new Westlife show. Shane, Mark, Nicky and myself agree that it's the best response we've ever had.

From the moment we cranked up the sound, we were drowned out by the roar of the crowd. It's a wonder the roof stayed on The Point!

I'm sure people would be happier if Bryan was still part of the
group, but life changes and the fans have accepted that, which is
brilliant. Bryan also called us before the first show to wish us
luck.

I'm writing this before last night's Eurovision, so hopefully
Bryan's song did well in that big event.

Source: Sunday World
Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 9:02 AM

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Mark Feehily: Single but not alone

Mark Feehily may be the last remaining single member of the record-breaking Irish boyband Westlife, but that doesn't mean he's commited to a life of solitude.

"I've been seeing someone on and off for the past year," he explains. "I wouldn't call it love at first sight, but we did have a lot in common, and soon our friendship tuned into a relationship."

But as you might expect, Mark is a coy on the details, not willing to divulge the lucky person's name. He does tell us his brown-eyed special someone is "quite attractive, if if I say so myself, with a great personality too."

And while Mark's partner is not a well-known celebrity, like bandmate Kian's lucky lady Jodi Albert, he hints that "it's a face you might recognise from TV and a few movies."

So what's the future for the shy Westlife heartthrob and his significant other? "Right now it's hard for us to spend much time together, but when the Westlife tour warps up, we'll be enjoying each other's company quite a bit."

As of yet, the two lovers have no plans for marriage, and don't expect to see a junior Feehily any time soon. Mark laughs, "Who needs kids when I have three bandmates who never grow up?" And considering Westlife's enduring popularity over the past five years, that description seems to fit perfectly.

Source: unknown
Credit: [Slaves For Westlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 8:53 AM

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HE'S KIAN TO STAY SINGLE

The Westlife hunk, reported to have popped the question to
girlfriend Jodi Albert told us: "The stories are rubbish. We're both young and nowhere near ready to wed."

And Kian, 24, says things are fine with the Bryan-less Westies. "We're happier and more together than ever."

Source: Daily Mirror
Credit:[Slaves for Westlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 8:47 AM

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Westlife vow show will go on

Pop Legends Westlife last night promised to stay together for AT
LEAST another three years.

The lads made the vow after getting a thunderous welcome at their
first home show without Bryan Mcfadden. And they said screaming fans at the point theatre had cemented their resolve to wow the world as a four peice.

Speaking backstage after the sell out show Kian Egan said, "We want to prove to ourselves and the fans. We have a three year plan for Westlife at the moment - and it could well become a five or six year plan!"

The 70-date world tour has been a massive success with only 24 out of 480,000 asking for a refund after Bryan quit. But the boys insist they passed their biggest test at the first gig of their ten show Dublin run.

Kian said: "I think we're getting better as the tour goes on. But
this is our first time home without Bryan. Every night we face an
audience that's seeing the new stage show for the first time. We're not nervous but we're interested to see the reaction we get, especially in Ireland."

Westlife will play to a total of 800,000 fans before heading off to Europe for more gigs. But the chart toppers are so desperate to record new material as a four peice that they've cancelled dates in South-East Asia.

Kian explained, "We want to get back to the studio. We're already
picking songs. We'll record an album this summer and release it
later this year. Then we'll tour next year before doing another
album."

On the duets album Kian said: "We've put the idea on hold because
some people might have claimed we needed them to replace Bryan."

The four insisted their old bandmate is irreplaceable after meeting up for dinner with him in the capital last week. "We all miss each other but he seems happy. He's writing lots of good songs. Who knows maybe he can write something for us."

Source: unknown
Credit: [upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 8:30 AM

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Friday, June 04, 2004

Sign Petition for an Official Bryan Web

Click here!

~*~ posted by me @ 6:11 PM

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Tuesday, June 01, 2004

Fans out in force for a day of celebrity football

READING rocked to the sound of an unlikely beat as the Music
Industry Soccer Sixes came to Madejski Stadium yesterday.

A town more accustomed to welcoming the biggest rock and pop names
to its music festival instead found itself the centre of attention
for a footballing battle of the bands.

About 5,000 people turned up to see Blazin' Squad, Snow Patrol and
Starsailor in action, along with Westlife's Nicky Byrne and former
bandmate Bryan McFadden.

The event, celebrating its 10th anniversary, was in aid of the
Prince's Trust and was the first of its kind to be staged at the
home of Reading Football Club.

But if anyone believed that meant it was not the winning that
counted, but the taking part, they should have tried telling Radio
One DJ Chris Moyles.

Moyles gloriously led his team to victory over Bryan McFadden's side
in a dramatic penalty shoot-out to decide the final.

And the fun-loving DJ claims he is considering a change of career.

"There was no way I was playing," he told the Evening Post.

"I'm a manager, not a player, and I think you have to concentrate on
one thing or the other.
"Now I'm thinking of going full-time next season and that could be
with Leeds United. I reckon after today that I'm the man to get them
back into the Premiership."

Leeds fan Moyles had former Elland Road star Lee Sharpe in his squad
as well as the tournament's two outstanding strikers in So Solid
Crew's Harvey and Brookside's Phil Oliver.

Oliver was their hero in the final, cancelling out Brian O'Neill's
opener for McFadden's side and then netting the crucial penalty in a
5-4 shootout victory.

Defeat was clearly a bitter pill for a dejected McFadden to swallow,
as his side had beaten a depleted Radio One side 4-0 in their
opening group game.

Blazin' Squad boasted the biggest fan base on the day and the
screams at the Madejski were never louder than when the young rap
stars beat Starsailor in a nerve-jangling quarter-final penalty
shootout.

Blazin' Squad finally fell to Radio One, 5-2 in the semis, while
McFadden's crew beat Six Life 4-2.

But clearly not everyone was a fan of the Blazin' Squad side.
EastEnders star James Alexandrou, who plays Martin Fowler in the
soap, managed only half a game all day after arriving late and then
suffering an injury as his Six Londoners' side crashed out in the
group stages.

"I turned up half way through our last match and then one of the
Blazin' Squad boys did my ankle. Tell him I'll meet him at the
crossroads and do him in!"

Source:Reading Evening Post
Credit:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife

~*~ posted by me @ 4:57 PM

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Still WestlifeFriends

LOOKS like the WESTLIFE boys are back on speaking terms after BRYAN McFADDEN’s walk-out.

Daddy Bryan is pictured with daughter Molly and former bandmate NICKY BYRNE at a Soccer Six event in aid of the Prince’s Trust.

The lads shook hands and had a chat before kick off at the Madejski Stadium, Reading.

But it’s not all sweetness and light – they didn’t spend too much time reminiscing with each other. Maybe Nicky is jealous of the former tubmeister general’s new slimline figure.

The six-a-side tournament for music industry celebs is now in its tenth year. Previous players include ROBBIE WILLIAMS, BLUE, ROD STEWART and CAT DEELEY.

One star on the pitch yesterday was the “saviour” of Radio 1, DJ CHRIS MOYLES.

Pictures

1. Bry & Nix Click here!

Source:www.thesun.co.uk
Credit:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife

~*~ posted by me @ 4:51 PM

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To all ShNicky Fans

Yahoo group you might wanna join:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ShNickys_love

*I've made it obvious, so finally i'll sing it...*

~*~ posted by me @ 4:50 PM

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Tour DVD
Westlife will be recording the concert in Stockholm on Saturday for
their live-DVD.

"This is a way for us to say thanks to our fantastic Swedish fans,"
says Shane. Now they have a chance to be on the DVD with their
banners.

"When we looked at our schedule for the tour, the four of us agreed
on that Stockholm is the ultimate place to record. We know that the
fans are fantastic. They've always made us feel like home," says
Nicky.

The DVD will be out autumn 2004.

Source: www.okej.se
Credit: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/upcloseandpersonalwithwestlife

~*~ posted by me @ 4:34 PM

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