Since their early days in the group, the ‘love song heroes’ of Westlife have experienced many ups and downs in life and career.
Westlife was formed in 1998 with 5 Irish members: Brian McFadden, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan. They were one of the most famous boy bands in the world in the 1990s-2000s, loved for pop ballads such as Seasons In The Sun, My Love, Swear It Again, If I Let You Go, I Lay My Love On You… In 2012, the band disbanded after the Greatest Hits tour. However, 6 years later, they reunited and released the album Spectrum in 2019, reaching number one in Ireland, Scotland and the UK. Following this success, the group went on a tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary. In November 2021, Westlife released the album Wild Dreams and went on the world tour The Wild Dreams Tour from 2022 to 2024.
Brian McFadden was born in 1980 and was a member of Westlife for six years. He had a huge fan base with his deep voice and bright appearance. In 2004, when Westlife was at the peak of its success, Brian suddenly announced that he was leaving the group, saying he wanted to spend time with his family, leaving many fans with regrets.
Since leaving Westlife, Brian has pursued a solo music career, releasing his own album. Brian’s debut single Real to Me went straight to number one on the UK charts. In 2005, he collaborated with Australian singer Delta Goodrem on Almost Here, which reached number three in the UK and number one in Australia. Following this success, Brian and Delta collaborated on a number of music releases.
The singer has also been active on television, serving as a judge on Australia’s Got Talent, hosting Who’s Doing the Dishes? and appearing on Dancing on Ice, finishing fourth. When Westlife reunited in 2018, Brian did not participate.
In his personal life, Brian McFadden has had many ups and downs and has been involved in controversy. He married singer Kerry Katona, with whom he had two daughters, before divorcing in September 2004, shortly after leaving Westlife. Brian then dated Delta Goodrem while recording together. They were rumoured to have started a relationship before Brian divorced his wife, but both denied it. The couple got engaged in 2007, but split in 2011.
Since 2016, the artist has been in a relationship with PE teacher Danielle Parkinson and got engaged three years later. They welcomed a daughter in 2021.
Mark Feehily, born in 1980, is one of the lead singers of Westlife, impressing with his elegant style and high voice. Mark is also a musician and has co-written some of Westlife’s songs.
After the band disbanded, Mark continued to pursue a musical career. He released his debut single Love Is a Drug in 2015 and released his solo studio album Fire. Mark also supported artists such as Wet Wet Wet and Mariah Carey. In 2018, the singer reunited with three members of Westlife, recorded a new album and went on tour. He and the band traveled to Ho Chi Minh City to perform on The Wild Dreams Tour late last year. However, at the beginning of this year, Mark announced a temporary hiatus due to health issues. He underwent surgery to treat a hernia and was advised to take time to recover, so he was unable to continue the final leg of the tour with the group. In 2005, Mark Feehily publicly came out as gay. As the only gay member of Westlife, Feehily kept his sexual orientation a secret for many years because he did not want to affect the group. After coming out, Mark said he was happy that he did not receive negative reactions even though most of his fans were female. Mark had a long-term same-sex relationship with British photographer Kevin McDaid before they split in 2011. He got engaged to partner Cailean O’Neill in 2019 and welcomed his first daughter Layla later that year via surrogate.
Shane Filan was born in 1979, is the lead vocalist of Westlife and co-wrote some songs for the group. He captivates fans with his warm, soulful voice.
After the group disbanded, Shane Filan had a successful solo career. From 2012 to 2018, he released three solo albums: You and Me, Right Here and Love Always. His song Beautiful in White, released in 2017, on the third album, became a hit. After Westlife reunited, Shane continued to be the lead singer and he is praised for still maintaining his sweet voice to this day. Shane is also the member with the least changed appearance in the group.
Shane went through a difficult period when his real estate business failed. He declared bankruptcy in 2012, but thanks to his persistent efforts to pursue a singing career, he recovered from the incident.
Shane married Gillian Walsh – Kian Egan’s cousin – in 2003. They had a strong marriage, going through ups and downs together. The singer and his wife have three children together, one girl and two boys: Nicole Rose born in 2005, Patrick Michael born in 2008 and Shane Peter born in 2010.
Kian Egan was born in 1980, and is known for his blonde hair and leather jacket style in music videos. Before joining Westlife, he was in many different bands in both rock and pop genres.
During his solo career, Kian Egan released the album Home in 2014. He has spent more time on television shows, including The Voice of Ireland, I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!, This Morning’s Hub…, as a coach, contestant and presenter. He was voted Ireland’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2014. Kian married British actress Jodi Albert in 2009. The couple have three children: Koa born in 2011, Zekey in 2015 and Cobi in 2017.
Nicky Byrne was born in 1978 and is the oldest member of Westlife. In his early years, Nicky impressed with his long, middle-parted blonde hair, which he later changed to a spiky fringe. He was a professional footballer for many years before turning to singing.
During the years of Westlife’s disbandment, Nicky was active in the radio and television hosting industry. He also participated in the TV show Strictly Come Dancing, winning 9th place. A few years later, he was selected to represent Ireland in Eurovision 2016, reaching the semi-finals.
‘Big Brother’ then reunited with three members Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan of Westlife in 2018, joining the band on a tour to celebrate their 20th anniversary. From 2022 to present, he has participated in the world tour The Wild Dreams Tour, and with Westlife came to Vietnam at the end of last year in Ho Chi Minh City. In early June, Nicky, Shane and Kian went to Hanoi, performing two concerts to kick off the Westlife The Hits Tour. Nicky won the hearts of Vietnamese fans with his sense of humor and friendliness, and his voice is still as soulful as when he was young.
Nicky married his childhood sweetheart Georgina Ahern in 2003. They met when they were 12 and attended high school together. The couple have three children together: twins Rocco and Jay, born in 2007, and daughter Gia, born in 2013.
