Westlife

"> Sunday, August 08, 2004

No More Dry Bryan!

JUST last week he was telling this paper that he'd never touch
another drop - but Bryan McFadden has fallen off the wagon with a
bump.

According to our spies the slimmed-down former Westlife star - who
recently signed a £2million solo record deal - was knocking back the
booze with gusto at a Grand Prix party.

"At one point Bryan actually had four cans of lager in his hands -
he wouldn't even put them down to sign autographs," we're told.

"When a fan asked for his signature he told them to put the pen in
his mouth so he could sign it that way."

One person who is less enthusiastic about Bryan going back to
boozing is his wife Kerry, 23.

"She was visibly upset by his drinking - she was practically in
tears and was pleading with him to stop," our spy says.

"They had to catch a flight back to Dublin and Kerry was panicking
that they were going to miss it.

"But Bryan was enjoying himself so much he didn't want to go."

Eventually Kerry managed to drag her reluctant hubby away. Our mole
continues: "She looked really cross."

Bry's spokesman Max Clifford said: "He does slip up occasionally.
Someone must have put something in his drink..."

Course they did, Max.

credit: [iluvwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 5:08 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Westlife's Xmas Rat Pack Album And TV Show*

Westlife are releasing a 'Rat Pack' album at Christmas, we can
reveal.

Our favourite four Irish boys will cover classics made famous by
Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and Sammy Davids Jr.
Kian, Shane, Mark and Nicky have also just signed a deal to host a
show on ITV on December 18, where they'll perform songs from the new
album.

There'll be a celebrity audience and we're told some big name
surprise guests will join in the singing on stage.

'It's all Simon Cowell's idea. He reckons the album will be a huge
hit. All those songs like Strangers In The Night, The Lady Is A
Tramp, I've Got You Under My Skin and My Way are such classics that
they just can't fail,' says our source.

'The TV show has just been sorted out. It'll appeal to their fans of
all age groups. The boys have just finished their tour and couldn't
wait to get their teeth sunk into something new.'

They boys went to see the Rat Pack musical at the Strand Theatre in
London on Monday night to prepare themselves for the show tunes
album.

They then went partying to Tantra until 4.30am to -er - discuss the
new album. And of course have a few bevvies.

Looks like Christmas for the boys will be a bit of a cracker!

Credit: [iluvwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 5:06 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

IT'S W-ESTATE-LIFE! Kian Egan buys basic bungalow love nest
Byline: STEPHEN MAGUIRE

THIS is the love-nest Westlife star Kian Egan has bought for
romantic
nights in with his sizzling Hollyoaks girlfriend Jodi Albert.

The 24-year-old mega rich singer has shunned the pop star lifestyle
to
move into a modest four bedroomed bungalow - on a small estate of
just
20 houses.

The blond hearthrob has spent the past week running between his
parents' home and his new EUR400,000 (pounds 270,000) pad in his
native Sligo.

As he begins to move in, he has been spotted parking his flash cars,
including a Porsche and a BMW X5, outside the house.

The property on the town's ***** **** has four bedrooms but shows no
signs of the trappings of a pop star lifestyle.

It's just feet away from the house next door.

The modest house is a far cry from bandmate Shane Filan's EUR1.5
million mansion which is currently being built - complete with
electric gates
and security cameras.

One neighbour on the estate said they were gobsmacked to discover
Kian was going to be their neighbour.

"This is a lovely area and it's in a nice part of town but it's a
housing development.

"There's no security cameras or big walls around here.

"I nearly fell over when I saw Kian pulling up in his Porsche and
heard later he was moving in.

"I thought he'd have bought a huge mansion away from everybody,"
said the neighbour.

Kian had been living with his parents at the family home at Strandhill
Road but now plans to entertain 20-year-old stunner Jodi, who he has been dating for a year, at his own pad.

The house is just half a mile from Strandhill beach - famous for its
surfing which the Westlife star has just taken up.

COPYRIGHT 2004 MGN LTD

Credit: [iluvwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 5:03 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Saturday, August 07, 2004

Top pop group to play at school

Pop group Westlife is to perform an outdoor concert on a school
playing field in Kent.

The Irish boy band will sing their hits to thousands of fans on the
fields of St George's Church of England School in Broadstairs on
Sunday.

About 14,000 people are expected to turn up for the event which was
organised by former pupil and concert promoter David Suter.

It is hoped the concert will raise about £5,000 for the school.

Westlife have sold more than 30m records worldwide and have had 12
UK number one singles.

Head teacher Keith Rumblo said: "As far as the area is concerned, a
lot of people feel that Thanet is very much a cultural desert.

"To have something along these lines, with famous people coming
along, will be great for everyone."

Taken From: BBC News
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:28 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Westlife's Gillian brings jewellery party to Sligo

By Sandra Coffey

Westlife wife Gillian Filan is helping to bring a first to town for Sligo women this Thursday night.

Gillian (25), wife of Westlife singer Shane is jointly hosting a jewellery party for women in the Embassy Rooms.

Gillian's older sister Joanna (31) designs jewellery and the two from Maugheraboy have combined to launch a joint venture in Sligo.

The jewellery party is offering women a chance to come and view Joanna's work. Three of Joanna's pieces may look familiar. Gillian wore her sister's jewellery for the recent VIP magazine shoot with other Westlife wives Georgina Ahern and Kerry McFadden. She also showcased another piece at last summer's French wedding of Georgina Ahern to Westlife band member Nicky Byrne. Gillian also chose to wear her sister's jewellery at her own fairytale Christmas wedding last December.
Joanna has been designing her own jewellery for the past seven years. Now, she designs for private clients but she fondly remembers the early days spent selling on Tobergal Lane.

"It's where I started off. I can still remember those early days."
Joanna started making her own jewellery as a hobby when she lived in San Francisco and on her return to Sligo in 2000 she sold the pieces locally, mainly in the Cat and the Moon shop on Castle Street.

She was based in Cork for a time and is now living in Dublin. "I don't wish to become the next buzz brand of the year and have no intentions of creating large quantities of mass produced jewellery," said Joanna.

Instead she has one-on-one consultations with customers and designs a piece based on their taste and the outfit they are wearing with it.

Vintage glass and clasps, swarovski crystals and freshwater pearls are her main materials. She is fast becoming recognized for her multi layered chokers and bracelets.

Now she is launching her business in Sligo and recognises that having sister Gillian on board is an added bonus.

"She models all my jewellery for fashion shoots. She will also be there on the night to help out."

Anyone with an interest in jewellery or are looking for that once-off special piece, should go along on the night.

There will be a wine and cheese reception followed by the jewellery display.
The jewellery party is taking place in the Embassy Residence Lounge this Thursday June 3 from 7-10pm.

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:18 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Franklin's single #16 in Ireland!

The very first single by "Franklin", the new rock band managed by Bryan has hit the 16th position in the Irish single charts this week.

Source: rte.ie/2fm
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:11 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Westlife, Liverpool Summer Pops

FROM boys to men: six years, 12 number ones and 80 million records
after their inception as a boy band, the fully matured Westlife
remain the most successful male vocal group ever.

They have outlived institution-alised pop icons The Osmonds, Take
That, NSYNC, Boyzone and even The Jacksons. It's a well known fact
that boy bands are a pop species with a limited shelf life, yet
Westlife continue to captivate the adoration of a notoriously fickle
audience.

Even after the departure Bryan McFadden in March, Westlife have
adapted and evolved into the four-piece which brought fans to
Liverpool last night in their droves.

From the opening of first song Turnaround, the screaming
reverberated around the walls of the marquee like a vocal Mexican
wave, and did not stop as the lads went on to perform titles
spanning their four studio albums.

The crowd went wild as West-life wended their way through the
wistful acoustic balladry of Flying Without Wings, 70s favourite
Mandy, and a crotch-thrusting rendition of Wham's Jitterbug.

Any slightly more infirm members of the audience lost their senses
completely, and as emotions ran high there were the trademark tears
and hysterical euphoria expected from avid boy band fanatics.

The pervading mood was that of rapturous appreciation, and just from
watching the stage it was obvious why - here was a group of
dedicated talented performers working hard to justify their fans'
support.

The simple reason Westlife have been more tenacious than any other
boy band is simply because they produce great music, and give it
their all.

And if the reaction of the crowd to the last act of this year's
Pops - they play again tonight - is anything to go by,, the parting
words of a band member will ring true: Westlife are unbreakable.

Source: ic Liverpool
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:08 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Golf: Charity bash is full of big names

Templepatrick hosts one of the biggest charity golf days ever held
in Northern Ireland tomorrow.

Famous names from the world of sport and beyond fly in tomorrow
morning for the Norman Whiteside Charity Classic at the County
Antrim course.

Joining Northern Ireland legend Whiteside are former internationals
Gerry Armstrong and Sammy Nelson as well as ex-England player Viv
Anderson.

Other retired footballers taking part include Ian St John, Gary
Pallister, Frank Stapleton, Alex Stepney and Ally McCoist.

Ulster rugby is well represented too. Tyrone Howe, David Humphreys
and Andy Ward will be taking part while from the world of
entertainment will be former Westlife member Bryan McFadden making
the trip up from Dublin.

Source: Belfast Telegraph
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:06 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Traphic Westlife Tour Extended

Due to massive success over the two weekend dates of Traphic supporting Westlife, the lads have been asked to play two more gigs.

This time, in Liverpool!

Due to the pressures and schedule of the band at this time, no more information is available. However, Mansfield radio will be keeping in touch with the lads. Listen out on Katie Trinders show tomorrow (Tuesday) morning

Source:http://www.traphic.co.uk
Credit: [legranickybyrne]

~*~ posted by me @ 12:03 AM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Friday, August 06, 2004

Shane and Gillian's new home

[view here]

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 11:59 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

BRYAN'S NEW SONG REVEALS ALL

Bryan McFadden's debut solo single reveals how much he hated beingin boyband Westlife.Despite claiming he was best mates with the other members when heleft in March and just wanted to spend more time with wife KerryMcFadden and their two children, the lyrics to his new song, Real ToMe, suggest he was disillusioned and desperate to leave the groupfor a long time.

Bryan, who is changing his name back to its original spelling ofBrian (how grown-up), told the Daily Mirror: "It's everything Ihated about being in Westlife, from the hectic schedule, showbizparties and non-stop travelling all over the place, and boringrecord company meetings."It's about feeling trapped everywhere I went, from the cars tothe hotel rooms."It's only now I have kids that I realise what the importantthings in life are."

The track, which was written by Robbie William's former songwritingpartner Guy Chambers, is due for release on September 6.Lyrics include: "Bull**it dinners and the free champagne/men insuits who think they know it all/No one knows me but they know myname/None of it's real to me. Hotel lobby to the airplane/anothercountry but they all look the same."No mention of the millions of pounds in the bank though.

Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 11:56 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Celebs show young women way to success

Celebrities Kerry McFadden and Martine McCutcheon will be lending their support to a young women's inspirational conference to be held in Belfast in October. The conference - Time Of Your Life - is designed to encourage women between the ages of 16 and 18 from disadvantaged backgrounds to take control of their career choices and be proactive regarding their health concerns. The event, organised by Training for Women Network and Action Cancer, will showcase a host of inspirational women of all ages and from a variety of personal and career backgrounds. Kerry, Queen of the Jungle and Loose Women presenter, will facilitate the day while ex-EastEnder Martine will be delivering the keynote address. The young women present at the conference will be given the opportunity to participate in a variety of interactive career workshops focusing on the opportunities that exist in various vocational areas including music, health, hair and beauty, media, outdoor pursuits and IT. They will also have the opportunity to meet with training organisations and community groups exhibiting at the conference that offer a range of vocational courses. Time Of Your Life takes place at the Waterfront Hall on Thursday, October 21.

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

~*~ posted by me @ 11:51 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Kian is my soulmate"

Hollyoaks honey Jodi Albert talks to new! about dating one of Ireland's cutest crooners, keeping trim and hanging out with the Westlife boys …At the tender age of 20, bubbly brunette Jodi is already making her mark on the UK showbiz circuit. Aged just 15, the east London lass was recruited by pop guru Simon Cowell to join girlband Girl Thing. And, thanks to a chance meeting, Jodi was introduced to her now boyfriend Kian Egan, 24, whose then little-known band Westlife was signed up to the same record label, although the couple didn't get together until a few years later.

"I really fancied him from the moment I met him", Jodi giggles. "He told Simon he fancied me, too, but was told to back off until I was older."The pair kept in touch and finally got together after bumping into each other at Party In The Park last year.Unfortunately, Girl Thing didn't set the charts alight and the band split up. But a year on, Jodi landed the role of tart with a heart Debbie Dean in Channel 4's hit teen soap Hollyoaks.

Things have been manic for Jodi of late, as she's had some juicy storylines and a heaving film schedule. But as she breezes into the studio looking bright-eyed and grinning from ear to ear, it's hard to believe she's been up since the crack of dawn filming for the soap. We sit down for a chat in between costume changes and find out just what it is that has put that huge smile on her face…

It looks as if things are going well for you at the moment
Things are just brilliant at the moment. Work's really busy and things are great with Kian. We've been going out for just over a year, and we're very much in love. It really is a fairy-tale relationship. He's my soulmate.There have been rumours flying around that we're getting married, and yes, it's something we might consider one day. But we're both so young and there's still so much we want to do with our lives first. We're happy with things the way they are.

It must be hard keeping your relationship going when you're both so busy?
I've been in showbiz since I was 15 so I've never really known a 'normal' relationship. When we first started going out, we saw each other once a week, but now my work schedule is getting busier on Hollyoaks, we only see each other every two weeks.It can be hard, but we trust each other 100 per cent. He is the most fantastic boyfriend. He always calls to make sure my day is going OK. he's one of the most caring and genuine people I've ever met.

If you weren't loved up with Kian, who'd be next on your list?
Ooh, it would have to be John Travolta. It's the way he works those hips, even though he's a bit old. But he's married, and I'm not the type of girl to split up a relationship. I can't stand women like that. Actually I'm quite fussy when it comes to dating guys. I have to know them really well first. I find dates so embarrassing!

Has Kian got any bad habits?

When he gets undressed, he leaves stuff everywhere, so he's a bit messy. He'll never admit it, but you can guarantee there'll be pants and socks all over the bathroom floor. Rather than get annoyed, I like to think he's leaving little bits of Kian all over the place for me to find.

Talking of undressing, you Hollyoaks ladies are always whipping your kit off. How do you keep in such good shape?
I used to do a lot of hip-hop dancing down at London's Pineapple studios a couple of years ago before I joined Hollyoaks, which stood me in good stead for looking and keeping fit. But things have been so busy since the show that I only have time to go to the gym for a 25-minute run every now and again or the odd yoga class. I don't go as often as I should as I'm so exhausted.

Are you happy with your body?
Yes and no. I don't look at myself and go, "Yeah I'm gorgeous." I'm aware of my bad points. I know I need to get a bit more toned, but I'm not fat. When I'm getting porky, I can feel it around my midriff. There is a little too much love around my handles at the moment!

What would be a typical day's diet for you?
Normally I'll have a bowl of cereal for breakfast, a panini for lunch and then something little for dinner like a salad - but that's mainly because I'm not a very good cook. I do like treats like pizza and I love chocolate more than anything. Every now and again it's fine, but I try not to get too greedy.

When it comes to clothes, are you a high-street gal or strictly a designer chick?
I loved dressing up for this shoot and getting into the Bridget Bardot character, as it's not often you get dolled up to the nines and play the part of someone totally glam. Normally I love a mix of designer and high-street clothes, but a lot of designer stuff is gross. High-street fashion is great because it's funky and you can customise the things you wear.

Ex BB housemate Ray Shah recently said of you, "I love her, she's the most gorgeous woman in the world. She'd make me the settling down type." What do you make of that?
Ahhh, that's so sweet. I'm really flattered, but to be honest, I can't remember what he looks like! I didn't watch the last series, but I did see the fight in this series. I couldn't believe the way the girls were provoking big guys like that. They were all really childish and bitchy. It was like being back at school - girls used to bitch about me all the time because they were jealous and it made my life miserable. I hate that sort of behaviour. It's a total waste of life being bitter.

Do you get any grief from jealous Westlife fans?
Actually, no, not at all. There was a rumour that I was being stalked by deranged Westlife fans, but it's totally the opposite. The fans are really lovely. They come up to me and tell me how happy they are for me and Kian.I've had some weird stuff from Hollyoaks fans, though. There was one guy who sent me 50 cards a week saying the same things, like, "You're the most beautiful girl in the world" and asking me to show my belly button piercing and wear fishnet tights on the show. I don't think he was mentally well.

You've recently been labelled the new Victoria Beckham. What do you make of that?
I'm flattered - she's such a big celebrity. But I can't see it myself. The only thing we have in common is our hair. A feel really sorry for her with all the Rebecca Loos business. It's bad enough having your husband allegedly cheat on you without having it splashed all over the papers.

Has Kian been the victim of any kiss-and-tells?
Yeah - before my time, though so it doesn't worry me. It's amazing how much rubbish papers print. It has made Kian very cautious about who he can trust.

Do you get on with the other members of his band?
I've known them since before they were famous so I just see them as regular guys. They are so grounded and normal, and I think that's why they've lasted so long.

We bet they're a real laugh to go out with?
Definitely. They're Irish and they're boys and they love a drink. It's brilliant when we all go out - they know how to have a good time. But sometimes they hurt themselves. At the end-of-tour party in Belfast last year, Shane spilt a drink on the floor and Kian, being Kian, slipped over in it and busted his arm.

Do you get on with the Westlife wives?
I've known them for years and we all get on well. I don't see them much but we always have a good laugh. They never give me a grief about me and Kian tying the knot - unlike some people!

Have you any exciting plans in the pipeline?
Hollyoaks contracts come up for renewal in October, and maybe I'll think about things then. I've been here for two years and it's been fantastic, but I'd like to challenge myself and throw myself into something new. I'd like to get back into music, too. People joke about me and Kian doing a duet, but there's absolutely no way. How cheesy would that be?

Where do you see yourself in five years' time?
I hope to be extremely happy and be surrounded by people I love. This business doesn't mean anything to me unless I'm happy. In an ideal world, I'd like to be doing something in Hollywood films or maybe music, but my main goal is just to keep pushing myself in whatever I do.

Source: New Magazine
Credit: [westlifes_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 10:16 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kylie and Westlife 'Top Cds for Insurance Fraudsters'

A company which specialises in detecting insurance fraud has identified the CDs people are most likely to lie about owning, it said today.Absolute Customer Management, which uses psychology to detect fraudulent insurance claims, said insurance companies had known for years that motorists often inflated the value of their claims for stolen or burnt-out cars by making up possessions they claim were lost with the vehicle.It said one of the most common things people claimed to have lost was a non-existent CD collection, which they usually say was in the glove compartment.But the East Grinstead-based group has now identified the six CDs that are most commonly made up by dishonest claimants.

These are albums by Kylie Minogue, Westlife, Bryan Adams and Robbie Williams, as well as a Best of the 80s compilation, or something similar, and the latest dance compilation.Absolute uses a technique known as cognitive interviewing which identifies if people are lying through the way they describe what happened to their vehicle and the words and phrases they use.It also looks for strong emotions, and whether the emotions people display are consistent with those normally displayed by people who have lost their car.Bill Trueman, a director of Absolute, said: "While we know some genuine claimants will really have lost these CDs in their collections, our team has learned that these are the ones that fraudsters make up time and time again when they're put on the spot."We can only assume that most fraudsters aren't very original."The group handles around 400 insurance claims a month which are thought to carry a risk of being fraudulent on behalf of 15 insurers.It identifies around 30% of claims as being either potentially fraudulent or deceptive.

Source: The Scotsman
Credit: [westlife_castle]

~*~ posted by me @ 9:49 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Sunday, August 01, 2004

Rock-solid safety for Castle gigs SAFETY arrangements are on track for the series of summer concerts which kicks off tonight at Edinburgh Castle. A temporary public entertainment licence has been issued which ensures that public safety requirements, such as electrical, lighting and structural standards, have been met. Donny Osmond will take to the stage this evening for the first gig, and Cliff Richard will play sold-out shows tomorrow and Sunday. Tom Jones, Westlife and James Taylor are set to perform later this month. Safety planning for the concerts began in February, and involved representatives from Edinburgh City Council, Lothian and Borders Police, the Scottish Ambulance Service and Lothian and Borders Fire Brigade, as well as venue owners Historic Scotland and the event promoter, Castle Concerts. Councillor Brian Fallon said: "An enormous amount of unseen work involving council officers and other agencies goes on behind the scenes to organise events like these. "I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work."

Source: The Scotsman
Credit: [slavesforwestlife]

~*~ posted by me @ 7:48 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

McFaddens to team up in studio

17/07/2004 - 13:16:12 Former Westlife star Brian McFadden is so desperate for the public to hear his wife Kerry's singing skills, he's recruited her to duet with him on a forthcoming song.Brian is now embarking on a solo career following his departure from Westlife earlier this year and he is convinced the ex-Atomic Kitten babe can help him top the charts - even though she's confessed she can't sing.A source says: "Nobody's sure if it was Kerry who nagged him to be on the album or Brian nagged her to sing. Kerry's got a good pair of lungs but whether she can sing or not is another matter."The collaboration - Armed and Dangerous - is likely to appear on Brian's debut solo album.

credit: [legranickybyrne]

~*~ posted by me @ 7:44 PM

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~