Those Westlife lads are a very busy bunch of fellas. Not only have they been whipping, their fans into a frenzy, on their recent UK tour, where we were invited backstage.
They have even found time to make one blushing bride the happiest in the world.
Yes the delectable Irish crooners jetted out to Coleen Mcloughlin's wedding in Italy, to provide the entertainment at the plush after ceremony party. And what’s more they went down a storm, leaving Coleen with a massive grin on her face.
Here on the eve of the release of their autobiography, Westlife - Our Story, the boys talk about how life has changed over the past decade and why one of the four almost called it a day.
You guys performed at Coleen's wedding, Can you believe
all the attention the wedding is getting?
Nicky Byrne: When I was marrying Georgina (Ahern) the press were everywhere,
probably because I was marrying the Prime Minister’s daughter. The whole
family were harassed for three weeks before and it was hard. But you have to
take the rough with the smooth and get on with it...
Westlife celebrate 10 years together next year. Surely
there must have been times when you thought enough was enough…
Shane Filan: Splitting up has never been on our radar. We did a gig
the other night which was unbelievable and you never want to loose that feeling.
So I don’t think we will ever break up. We are doing a brand new album
next year, and hopefully it will be the best album ever.
Nicky: Once, when we were recording an album, I discovered
than none of my vocals have been added. I said to the boys, 'I'm going home
until this changes.' I wasn't going to stand there to make up with numbers.
I'm not the type of person who will just pick up the cheque. I've something
to give!
Despite all success, people have always slated you,
What hurts the most?
Shane: I suppose peoples perception of us really, that we’re
boring guys who sing. That is so far from what we are as people…
So how rock and roll are you?
Kian Egan: We have had some pretty heavy parties, some that have gone
until daylight the next day.
Mark Feehily: I can’t stay out until 6am anymore, These
days I’m like "Maybe I should get some food and go home" It’s
not that I don’t have the energy but I like to do things on a Sunday.
Maybe it’s to do with being in a relationship. None of us want to be plastered
across the papers as drunk…
You must have had some spats...
Mark: Nobody has really come to blows such as. I think Nicky bitch-kickied
me one time in the chin in Italy and me and Shane sort of had a double psycho
kick, but it's all little girlie fights.
You are all in relationships now, Have you noticed
your middles getting thicker?
Mark: Because we have to do photoshoots, I make sure I don’t
put on too much weight. Since I’ve been dating Kevin [McDaid] he motivates
me to take more care of myself. He'll go to the gym and stuff so I’m into
that now.
In spite of all the success what have been your worst
times for you?
Kian: There was a time in America when we had been away from home and
the schedule was slave driving, and was very difficult and at that time everyone
just wanted to go home. It taught us how to look after ourselves and not say
yes to everyone all of the time. All these lessons are valuable...
Shane: I’m lucky my wife Gillian travels with me so touring
isn’t a problem. It’s not worth feeling like that.
Do your relationships ever come under pressure?
Nicky: No - You have to work at it. But you have to work at all relationships.
Being away for too long is never healthy and we were always conscious on that
fact and invited the girls out with us. It’s very important for a relationship.
Anymore than two weeks is a killer. Especially now we have kids.
Have you thought of what life would be like if you
hadn’t been in Westlife?
Mark: Westlife has taken our lives in totally random and unpredictable
directions so I could literally be working in a phone shop or in another band.
It’s too hard to tell.
You have worked with lots of celebrities. Who has been
your favourite?
Shane: Mariah Carey, she was the first megastar we worked with...
Mark: Working with her was a dream come true. We see her from
time to time, but don’t keep in touch. Everytime we’ve met her she
always gives us a big welcome though...
So which celebs haven’t you liked?
Mark: Years ago we had a funny run in with Christina Aguilera.
We were in the Met bar she got her bouncers, to kick us out of our seats. But
the club told her bouncers to go away.
Nicky: I remember when we went to a opening of Tommy Hilfiger
store as saw Liam Gallagher and at the time, we loved Oasis so we went up to
him and said hi and thought it would be really cool to tell him that we were
Ronan Keating's new band, but he just looked at us and didn’t even say
hello...
Credit/Source: OK! Magazine / Thanks Joanne at westlifefanaticvip.com for typing it up