Pressparty: Westlife News December 2011

Mark Feehily splits from boyfriend after seven years

Pressparty — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 17:55:32 +0000

Mark Feehily took to Twitter today to announce his split from his partner, Kevin McDaid, after a seven-year relationship:

Feehily tweeted: "Sadly, Kevin & I are no longer together. We've had an amazin 7 yrs & are both so thankful for the love & support u have shown us from the start.

"We won't be answering any questions about this as its a very private matter. Thanks in advance for understanding that. Lots of love, Mx"

Pressparty reported on November 24 that Feehily planned to marry McDaid as soon as Westlife split.

Westlife's Kian Egan welcomes first child with wife Jodi Albert

London Newsdesk — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 08:36:22 +0000

Westlife's Kian Egan is celebrating Christmas with an early gift after his wife gave birth to their first baby on Tuesday.

Jodi Albert, who performs as part of girl group Wonderland, and Egan welcomed baby boy Koa at 6.10pm BST on December 20 and the heartthrob took to his official Twitter page to share the fantastic news with his fans:

"Our Little baby Boy "Koa" was born today at 6.10pm. @JodiAlbert_xxx is an amazing woman.Love them both so much.Both doing amazing,so proud x"

An hour later, he added: "Wow thanks guys. Amazing to see our little boy Koa is trending in the Uk! And he's only a few hrs old!!!"

Watch a joint interview with Egan and Wonderland from earlier this year below:

Louis Walsh backing Westlife's Shane Filan for successful solo career

London Newsdesk — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 14:30:17 +0000

Irish music mogul Louis Walsh has revealed that he is supporting Westlife's Shane Filan and thinks he has the potential to launch a very successful career as a solo artist.

The X Factor panelist told The Mirror newspaper that he will take on and manage Filan in the hope that he will continue making music and craft a lucrative new chapter in his performing life:

"I'm going to manage Shane Filan. He's going for the Michael Buble market. They're all good but I can only manage one. I love Shane's voice. I love Mark's voice too. Shane is going to be a big artist. I will only manage someone if I believe in them. If I get someone amazing I will manage them."

Unfortunately for Walsh, only being able to manage one of the four remaining Westlife lads means that Kian, Mark and Nicky will have to seek future fame elsewhere, but he has every faith that they will be just fine:

"The other boys, Kian and Nicky, are going to do TV and different stuff and radio. They are going out on a high."

Watch Filan's sexy striptease from the group's summer concert at Thetford Forest below:

Westlife regret choosing 'Lighthouse' as their farewell single

London Newsdesk — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 15:01:30 +0000

Westlife's Nicky Byrne has revealed his disappointment at the chart position of the group's farewell single, 'Lighthouse'.

The stars, who recently announced that they are calling it a day in 2012, released the Gary Barlow-penned track as their final single, but regret their decision as it only managed to get to No.32 in the UK Top 40 and has now been named as the group's only non-Top Ten single.

"It’s disappointing as we’ve never had a chart position that bad. Our fans instead bought tickets for our last tour next May. 'Beautiful World', which Mark wrote, would have been better. However, as we’re splitting up, whether it charted at No 1 or No 100, it makes no difference to the next six months for us.”

The lads are set to take their Greatest Hits Tour on the road next June and once the run is finished they will put down the mics for good.

Check out Westlife's music video for 'Lighthouse' below: