Delta’s The Victim In Brian And Kerry’s Split -  October 2006

 

© Thanx Joanne for typing

 

The boys try not to take sides between ex-bandmate Brian Mcfadden and Kerry Katona.

 

It’s been well over two years since Brian McFadden quit Westlife and the band have made an unusual replacement on their new album by bringing in Brian's girlfriend Delta Goodrem!

 

The Aussie singer joined the lads to record a song on The Love Album, after the Westlife manager and x-factor judge Louis Walsh came up with the idea.

 

"We were worried Delta and Brian wouldn’t want to but they loved it.”, says Nicky, 27.

 

Delta is a fantastic singer. Despite this strained relationship between Brian and Delta and his ex- Kerry katona, the boys are careful not to take sides. "We feel sorry for Delta" said Nicky, People blame her but she’s the victim in this. Meanwhile the boys have stayed in touched with Kerry. "I was texting Kerry last week," says Mark 26...Shes doing well, although she’s been in hospital. But we don’t like to read about Brian and Kerry’s lives in the paper. They’re our friends so we call them up and talk to them like any other friends.

 

Looking back, Nicky says, "Hindsight is a great thing. Even when Brian was in the band, we didn’t realise there was anything wrong with their marriage. Perhaps if we had we could have helped them more, but we did everything we could. We even offered to take them to counselling".

 

Recently, Brian was reported to be suffering from stress due to his flagging solo career. He was said to have broken down during a karaoke session and again on reality THE MATCH. "Brian couldn’t get stage fright if he tried," Nicky laughs.

 

Mark adds "I talked to him the other day and he was so excited about his new album. I’d be able to tell from his voice if there was something wrong with him. He’s fine"

 

The Westlife boys say they’ve never been happier themselves-especially in their relationships. Nicky and Shane are both married, but Kian and Mark are sick of hearing rumours they’re set to wed their partners.

 

Kian, who is dating Respectable actress Jodi Albert, says his family are always asking about his wedding plans after reading about them, but reckons he and Jodi are happy as they are.

 

He says "Her new TV series is doing really well. I’m so proud of her. Shes a great singer too."

 

"Will you release a duet?” asks Nicky.

 

"Like Kylie and Jason?" Kian laughs, as the boys break into a rendition of Especially for you.

 

Mark, who has a long-term boyfriend Kevin McDaid, says:"I read that I’m getting married as often as I read that Westlife are splitting up. I’m not getting married.”

 

But Nicky and Shane still egg on their friend to tie the knot. Nicky teases, "Oh, go on We gave you a good day out, its about time you gave us one"

 

Meanwhile, Westlife doting dad Shane, 26,goes soppy talking about his 14 month old daughter Nicole who’s just started to talk. He confesses: "I sing to her, but stuff like "Twinkle Twinle, little star, I don’t think she’d like the verse of You raise Me Up.” He says the rest if the band love being surrogate uncles.

 

"I see little Nicole and think Id love a baby”, says Kian,26,"But I’m not married yet, Its Nicky’s turn next"

 

Nicky admits “Id love to have kids of my own. I’m broody,” he says. "Its amazing watching Nicole. Would I want to let my children go into music? Well you let your children do what they want, unless they want to be a lap dancer."

 

The group haven’t been back long from their Face to Face Tour 2006 and will be embarking on a UK tour again in February and March. But this time they’re hoping to take their partners and children along.

 

Shane says "I was away from Nicole for a week on tour in Asia and it was hell. Its great when we get to take everyone on tour with us because we get daytimes off so there’s lots of time to spend with family.”

 

“We’ve all grown up in recent years, he adds, "And although we love what we do, our personal lives are the most important thing to us.”

 

Westlife popularity certainly doesn’t seem to be warning, The Love Album featuring the bands take on famous love songs is released on 13th November - the same day as Take That’s new album. Are the boys relishing a battle?

 

"They moved their release date to ours” says Shane. "But we love Take That. We got into music wanting to be like them so we’re happy.”

 

“I will definitely buy the album" Nicky admits, “Although not in its first week. Maybe Louis can get us a free copy!”

 

By Katie Samuel

 

Credit/Source: Closer Magazine / Joanne