WE SAID NO MORE COVER VERSIONS.. BUT IT'S HARD TAKING ON SIMON COWELL;

WESTLIFE waged war with their record boss Simon Cowell in a showdown meeting and warned him: "We'll never do another cover version."

The stars took on the fearsome X Factor judge after he ordered them to record a cover version of Michael Buble's Home for their latest single.

The song reached No3 in the UK charts last weekend but their new album Back Home will shoot straight to No1 this Sunday.

In an exclusive interview with the Irish Daily Mirror, stars Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan have revealed how they laid down the law with Cowell over his policy of making them record covers. Nicky said: "We would not be happy about releasing cover versions all the time and we're definitely going to release far more original material in the future.

"There was a big battle of wills over us releasing a cover of Home in the first place - Simon wanted us to do it and we wanted to do something new.

"We had a big meeting about it and in the end he got his way - but we told him we wanted to take a new direction in the future.

"I think he knows where we stand now and we are serious about it. We want to make our next album our biggest and best ever.

"It's not easy taking on Simon Cowell when you disagree with his decisions - anyone who watches the X Factor will know that."

The scene for our meeting is South Dublin's trendy Dylan hotel where the group has been hosting TV interviews for 10 hours without a break.

It's hardly the glamorous lifestyle many of their fans would imagine - especially for Nicky and Shane who have young children to look after through the night. Despite their frantic schedule the pair are lively, energetic, and look lean and toned as they burst into the penthouse suite and grab a handful of sandwiches and crisps.

Shane admitted: "We are completely wrecked.

"But I've been on a real fitness push and doing loads of gym work and that's given me a real energy boost. It's the only way you can get through days like this."

Nicky agreed saying it was 10 years since they have had any significant time of year off.

He added: "I think we are all feeling the pace of it. But we're determined to make this album and tour our greatest so far and we're prepared to put in the work to achieve that."

Nicky and Shane could have been forgiven for packing in Westlife when they became pop papas.

Proud Shane, 28, became a dad two years ago when his wife Gillian gave birth to their baby daughter Nicole.

While 29-year-old Nicky joined the parent pack in April when he and wife Georgina welcomed twin sons Rocco and Jay to the world.

Endless touring, promoting and travelling is hardly the perfect recipe for family life, but the stars made a vow to be hands-on parents and resist the temptations to hire nannies.

Nicky explained: "I can honestly say that from day one Georgina and I knew that we wanted to do everything ourselves with the twins.

"We sat down and talked about all the options and we knew that we wanted to experience everything with these babies - even the sleepless nights. It's all part of the bonding experience.

"It does get really tough but it's getting easier all the time now as they get a little older.

"I just think it would be really weird having a nanny in the house and being there all the time."

Shane added: "It was the same for Gillian and I. We could have a nanny on the scene but we'd rather do things ourselves.

"We're also really lucky to have loads of really close family members who help us out loads."

After the band's huge Croke Park concert to celebrate their 10th anniversary next June the lads will take a year's break - their longest time off since they stormed the charts with debut single Swear It Again.

Shane said they are relishing the chance of living a normal life and have already made plans.

He added: "I'm going to play loads of golf and try to get my handicap down to around 12.

"I'm also just looking forward to doing normal things - even the housework seems appealing when you have been on the road for six months."

Nicky added: "We have been working right up to a couple of days before Christmas for the last 10 years so I'm just looking forward to being able to enjoy the build-up properly next year.

"It's also going to be a dream to get to spend a year with the twins and Georgina without having to leave them."

But it mightn't be long before they add to the brood as Nicky said: "I'd love five kids so if we get twins again then we're flying.

"We'll have to wait and see." And Shane confessed: "I'm definitely getting broody. I want more kids - I'd love a little brother or sister for Nicole."

'There was a big battle of wills, we had a meeting about it and in the end he got his way' - NICKY YESTERDAY

Credit/Source: The Mirror Eire Edition / Thanx Gitta

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