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| Westlifer Shane Is Raising Up Job Hopes |
25 August 2009 – Westlife star Shane Filan is helping to dig his home town out of recession by ploughing millions of euro into a building development.
The Neighbourhood Centre - which will contain shops, apartments and office spaces - will create more than 180 jobs during construction and up to another 200 on completion in Sligo.
The You Raise Me Up singer, 30, whose wife Gillian is expecting their third child, said: "The project is a huge vote of confidence in Sligo.
"We feel that this new development can put one of Ireland's greatest towns back on the map."
The Westlife hunk and his brother Finbarr - who set up Shafin Ltd - will build the 15million project in Carraroe, near Shane's family home.
This week an Bord Pleanala upheld a decision by Sligo County Council to grant planning permission for a modified development on the seven-acre site.
Work will start on the new development next month.
Westlife stars Kian Egan and Mark Feehily were also born and bred in Sligo.
| Source: The Irish Sun. Credits: Villy at Westlife.gr/Maya and Chrissy for the article.
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| Westlife In Sync At Studio |
22 August 2009 – Pop sensations Westlife have been secretly recording with former 'NSync star JC Chasez in Los Angeles, it has emerged.
The Irish chart-toppers have been working with JC - now a record producer - in the studios in recent days.
JC even revealed he was enjoying working with the Irish crooners on his Twitter site. However, the tweet was removed shortly afterwards.
Westlife are spending time in LA and Nashville to meet with producers and songwriters in a bid to make an album of original songs.
Westlife's Shane Filan said: "The album will have no covers at all - we want it to be our strongest ever.
"We're working on it in the studios at the minute and it's really exciting. We want to give the fans 100 per cent new material."
| Source: The Irish Star/Published on 18 August 2009. Credits: Villy at Westlife.gr/Maya and Chrissy for the scan.
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| We Can-Net Believe Leak |
22 August 2009 – Chart-toppers Westlife are reeling after one of their new ballads, As Love Is My Witness, was leaked on the internet.
Shane Filan and his fellow crooners are still working on a new album of original songs, but one track is already being file-shared by fans.
Despite their record label's efforts to limit the leak, the song was still on Youtube yesterday.
| Source: The Irish Star/Published on 20 August 2009. Credits: Villy at Westlife.gr/Maya and Chrissy for the scan.
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| Westlife star makes local family's day |
21 August 2009 – TWO Dundalk children took centre stage at a very special soccer game when one of the teams was fronted by Westlife's Shane Filan.
Three-year-old Francis Lynch and his sister Aoife (5), from the Mullaharlin Road, were mascots at the Westlife singer's charity match at the Sligo Showgrounds.
Mum and dad, Carmel and Francis, from the Mullaharlin Road, watched the game with their youngest daughter, five-month-old Alana, who also had the privilege of getting her bib signed by the Westlife heartthrob.
Filan arranged the game with League of Ireland side Sligo Rovers to help friends Ann Culkin, a HR consultant, and Hilary Jones, a beauty consultant, raise funds for a charity climb of Kilimanjaro in aid of the Irish Red Cross later this month.
And it was through these women that the Lynchs were offered the mascot job for Francis and Aoife. Carmel, a huge Westlife fan, said the whole family had a great time at the event.
'My sister is friends with one of the organisers and Francis and Aoife were asked to be mascots, which they jumped at,' she said.
'We got to meet Shane at the game and he was wonderful with us and the children.
'I have been to loads of Westlife concerts and even Aoife is a fan of theirs now, but this is the first time we got to meet any of them in person. He was really, really nice and very generous with his time. He even signed Alana's bib for her. Shane is very down to earth and it was exciting to meet him.'
Shane (30) fulfilled a childhood dream when he captained his father-inlaw's works team from a local junior astro-turf league against his heroes, Sligo Rovers.
And it was a dream come true when the singer scored the winning goal to finish the action-packed game 3-1 to the Filan XI.
| Source: independent.ie – Anne Campbell
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| Welcome Back Westlife |
18 August 2009 – Westlife have spent the past year taking a well-earned break and recharging their batteries after an incredible ten years in the charts. Now, the waiting in nearly over and the boys are preparing to return with one of the most exciting albums of their career.
In preparation, we’re giving you the chance to show the band just how much their fans are looking forward to having them back! Each fortnight we’ll be setting you a different ‘Welcome Back Westlife’ task, giving you the opportunity to get creative.
We’ll pick a handful of our favourite entries for each task and show them to the boys. After the final task, we’ll display all the winning entries here on Westlife’s official site, along with a comment on each one from a member of the band!
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For the first task, we want you to write in no more than 150 words why you’re looking forward to the band’s return. The closing date for entries is midday on 31st August. Send your entries to westlifehq@live.co.uk, along with your full name or username
| Source: westlife.com
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| Westlife Star Gets Green Light To Build |
13 August 2009 – WESTLIFE star and part-time developer Shane Filan has welcomed a decision by An Bord Pleanala which will allow construction of a €15m retail and residential project to go ahead.
The singer and his brother have also vowed to press ahead with the project "despite the recession" as they plan for a future upturn.
The planning board upheld a decision by Sligo County Council to grant planning permission for the modified development on a seven-acre site in Carraroe, which had initially met with local opposition, including from the local primary school. The development will be carried out by Shafin Ltd, the company owned by the Westlife star and his brother Finbar.
The singer said the project would be a "crucial piece of infrastructure" for the town. Last December, the Westlife star offered to bankroll a €400,000 extension to Scoil Naomh Eanna as "a goodwill gesture".
The development, which will get under way in September, will create over 80 jobs during construction and up to 100 jobs on completion.
The Neighbourhood Centre will include 11 shops, 68 apartments, office spaces, a medi-centre, creche and 270 car parking spaces.
| Source: independent.ie
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| Who has stepped in to stop pop gossip Jodi from Tweeting girlband's secrets? |
13 August 2009 – HAS pop star Jodi Albert been been slapped with a cyber gagging order?
The Diary can reveal how the singer and Westlife wife has mysteriously deleted her popular Twitter page this week.
The recently married beauty, who got hitched to Kian Egan in Barbados in May, has sparked furious speculation after becoming an unlikely star on the networking site.
She's given hundreds of fans intimate updates about her personal life in various juicy revelations about her glamorous lifestyle and has even posted pictures from her wedding.
However, she set tongues wagging when it emerged this week that her page has been deleted, with her Twitter 'followers' speculating in cyberspace as to the reasons.
One of her most recent updates told how her new girlband had been immersed in the studio, recording material for their eagerly awaited album - sparking suggestions that maybe she had let slip too much about their plans.
Just last week, she wrote: "In a really funky studio today.. With candles and incense.. Recording a kick arse song.. Can't wait for you guys and gals to hear it xxx."
And the former Hollyoaks star isn't the only member of the new girlband to suddenly go offline - her fellow crooner Kasey Smith's Twitter page has also been deleted this week.
A source close to the band has revealed that Jodi may have been instructed to lie low for a while
"There may be nothing more to it than Jodi deciding to take a back seat from the public eye as it hasn't been the easiest time for her or Kian lately, given that he recently lost his dad Kevin.
"A lot of her Tweets were being written about in the media and maybe she just decided it was best to just delete her page and keep things close to her chest for a while," he said.
"Record chiefs have some very definite plans for the band and probably want to keep everything under wraps until they're ready to go public with them. That would include a moratorium on saying too much too soon."
Jodi and Kian were hit by tragedy just a few months after they wed, with the sad passing of Kian's father Kevin, who died last month after a lengthy battle with cancer.
Afterwards, Jodi posted a message of thanks to all the fans who had contacted her to pass on their condolences.
| Source: herald.ie – Melanie Finn.
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| Filan scores for charity |
12 August 2009 – Sligo Rovers 1 Shane Filan: IT PROVED to be a night to remember for the hundreds of Westlife and Sligo Rovers fans that turned up in The Showgrounds last Wednesday evening to watch an entertaining friendly between Sligo Rovers and a Shane Filan XI.
XI 3
The popstar’s team won 3-1 and, fittingly, the affable celebrity, a talented rugby player and Gaelic footballer, in his teenage years scored his side’s third goal from the penalty spot late in the game.
The match was in aid of the Irish Red Cross and, specifically, locals Hilary Jones and Leslie-Ann Culkin who are heading off later this week to climb Tanzania’s Mount Kilimanjaro in order to raise funds for the charity.
Sligo Rovers used the game to give a run out to quite a number of their first team players, including their most recent signing, Darren Meenan.
The winger, who can also play as a main striker, was signed on deadline day and was previously with Finn Harps, Monaghan United and most recently Shelbourne.
Filan’s side featured a number of players from the Sligo Plumbing & Heating team that he plays with in the Sligo Astra League - a team set up by Brian Heraghty and Michael Walsh - and a number of former Sligo Rovers players such as Donagh Oates, Philip Gallagher, Sean Flannery and Keith Lynch.
Sligo Rovers dominated the first-half but failed to find a way past an inspired Cathal O’Loughlin, goalkeeper for the Shane Filan XI.
As well as being thwarted by O’Loughlin’s reactions, Sligo Rovers were denied by the woodwork on a number of occasions with Darren Meenan, Owen Morrison and Keith Duffy all having efforts come back off the frame of the goal.
Nine minutes into the second-half the Shane Filan XI took a shock lead. Sean Flannery got the better of his former Sligo Rovers team-mate, Gerry Carr, before getting the ball past Sligo Rovers goal-keeper Ciaran Kelly.
Their lead was short-lived - three minutes later and the sides were level thanks to a well-taken goal from Christopher Kelly.
Not even the introduction of Sligo Rovers manager Paul Cook could help turn the tide in favour of Sligo Rovers as the Shane Filan XI retook the lead in the 80th minute.
Filan was the provider as he set-up substitute Anthony Henneberry, who finished well.
The Shane Final XI wrapped up the win with the moment that most of the crowd had been waiting for. Shane Filan was fouled inside the penalty area in the 85th minute and referee Paul Deering awarded a spot-kick.
Filan, a life-long Sligo Rovers fan, made no mistake as he coolly finished from the spot to put the gloss on his side’s win.
kick.
Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Kelly, Keith Duffy, Danny Keohane, Danny Ventre, Martin Camano, Michael McGrath, Darren Meenan, Christopher Kelly, Rob Turner, Dean Marshall, Owen Morrison Subs: Conor O’Grady, Barry O’Mahony, Gerry Carr, Paul Cook, Brian Cash, Eoin Doyle.
kick.
Shane Filan XI: Cathal O’Loughlin, Ronan McNamara, Barry Sheerin, Vinny Nally, Neil Jones, Brian Heraghty, Paul Keaveney, Keith Lynch, Michael Walsh, Shane Filan, Sean Flannery Subs: Donagh Oates, Philip Gallagher, Ryan Casey, Anthony Henneberry, Justin Dykes, Kelvin McGowan, Craig Walsh, Mark Cunningham, Damien McSharry.
| Source: Sligo Weekender - Keith O’Dwyer
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| Shane’s Supporting Role |
11 August 2009 – Westlife star Shane Filan made his way down the aisle again this weekend, but this time as a groomsman. Shane who married Gillian Walsh was delighted when he was asked to be a groomsman for his friend Paul Keavney (centre in the picture)
Paul married Sheena Henry from Sligo on Saturday with Shane's other close pal Keith Moran (left) as bestman. The wedding took place in Ransboro Church in Sligo and the three pals were also at the top table at the reception held in nearby Castle Dargan hotel.
| Source: Irish Star. Credits: Deborahw on the official forum.
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| Mention Of Westlife |
10 August 2009 – Louis Walsh's girlband hopefuls are immersing themselves in a studio this weekend as they record their first eagerly awaited single. Although the line-up for the sexy group was revealed last January and they nabbed a €1m contract with Song BMG a few months later, the band still hasn't released any material - and hasn't even got a name yet.
But it seems that the girls are finally getting some proper studio time, judging by lead singer Jodi Albert's latest news to her fans.
Writing on her Twitter page, she revealed: "In a really funky studio today, with candles and incense. Recording a kick-a*se song, can't wait for you guys and gals to hear it."
A source revealed Louis plans to coincide the girls' debut material with Westlife's return to the scene. The source said: "Louis is determined to wait until the time is right before launching the girls properly. "He doesn't want to push them into the spotlight before they're ready. "He knows they have what it takes but they need to be mentored properly - the same way Simon Cowell managed Leona Lewis. "There's no point putting a band out there until they're polished and have their songs and routines down perfectly."
Kian Egan's new wife Jodi (25) is the best known of the group, alongside You're A Star runner-up Sharon Condon (23). The line up is completed by newcomers Corrina Durran (22) Leigh Learmont (19) and Kasey Smith (19).
Even though Louis has been immersed in filming the new series of X Factor, he's determined to give his acts 100pc once he has some free time.
He even refused a $1m TV deal to co-host an American version of X Factor as he reckoned it would take up too much time.
The Mayo local has declared how his "bands always come first."
He said: "An American X Factor has been mentioned - but my job as manager is what I do first.
"My priority for the next year is going to be Westlife and the girlband. Westlife's new album is number one on the list, and getting the girls out there."
| Source: herald.ie – Melanie Finn
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| Happy Anniversary |
09 August 2009 – Happy anniversary to Nicky and Gina who got married in France 6 years ago today.
Lots of love,
Shazzy xxx
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| Charity Match At Truro |
07 August 2009 – host of stars, including Paul Merson and Bryan Robson, will play a football match in Cornwall to help Children’s Hospice South West’s appeal to build a children’s hospice in the county. You can watch on in delight as a team of celebrities take on a Cornish Eleven at Truro City Football Club on Sunday, September 27, in aid of the local cause.
Star names already announced include ex-England footballers Bryan Robson and Paul Merson, ex-Republic of Ireland player Keith O’Neill, 1997 World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty, Westlife heartthrob Nicky Byrne, and former Wham! pop star Andrew Ridgeley. They will be playing against a local team including players from the local media and Truro City FC.
Tickets, priced at £12 (seated) or £8 (standing), are available now from the CHSW office in Truro or Strikers Bar at Truro City Football Club. As well as admission to the Celebrity Football Match your ticket will also give you automatic entry into a draw for a fun half time penalty shootout competition with a chance to win tickets to see Manchester United!
For an extra special experience, a limited number of VIP tickets are available at £50. This will include a VIP seat to watch the match, a drink in the bar with the team, exclusive access to the VIP area to meet, greet, and take your picture with the stars, and the chance to get your hands on some great lots in a special celebrity auction!
Nicky Bryne, who played as a goalkeeper in Leeds United's youth setup for two years before joining boy band Westlife in 1997, says: "This is such a great idea and it will be good to be put on my football boots again especially for such a fantastic cause! I hope lots of people come to cheer us on and help us support the building of a new children’s hospice in Cornwall."
The Celebrity Football Match will kick off at 3pm on Sunday, September 27, at Truro City Football Club. Gates open at 1pm, with pre-match entertainment by Pirate FM. Tickets cost £12 (seated), £8 (standing), or £50 for a VIP ticket.
It is anticipated that this star-studded event will be very popular so you are advised to book your ticket now to avoid disappointment. Contact the CHSW office on 01872 261 166, or call in at 8 Walsingham Place, Truro TR1 2RP between office hours (9am – 5pm, Monday – Friday). Tickets will also be available to purchase in advance at Strikers Bar of Truro City Football Club. Some standing only tickets may be available on the gates on the day, but at a cost of £10.
| Source: www.falmouthpacket.co.uk
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| Scanned Article |
07 August 2009 – Thanks to Katrin for scanning the following article from The Irish Sun.
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| Source: Irish Sun. Credits: Katrin at The Committed.
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| Shane scores the winning goal in charity match against his childhood idols Rovers |
07 August 2009 - Westlife superstar Shane Filan wowed fans with his fancy footwork when he scored the winning goal in a charity football match against his childhood heroes, Sligo Rovers on Wednesday.
The multi-millionaire heart-throb fulfilled a childhood dream when he captained his father-in-law's works team from a local junior astro-turf league before a crowd of 500 at the Sligo Showgrounds.
"I actually find this quite exciting. I've followed Sligo Rovers all my life and I never thought I would get to play a game against them," he said before kick-off.
"To do it at the Showgrounds is an added thrill. It's what every kid in Sligo wants to do."
And he even managed to score the winning goal from a penalty against the Eircom League side in the action-packed game which ended with a 3-1 win for 'Filan's Eleven'.
After a goal-free first half, Shane's team went one up when his co-striker, former Rovers star Sean Flannery, scored - but just two minutes later, Rovers equalised.
Following a 20-yard driving run down the middle by Shane, his pass to Anthony Hennebery was netted in the 80th minute to put his side 2-1 ahead. But Shane sealed victory when he scored from the penalty spot in the closing minutes.
Earlier, the 30-year-old beamed proudly as he jogged out sporting the striker's Number 9 jersey, after jetting in from London, where Westlife are working on their next album, just hours earlier.
He arranged the game with League of Ireland side Rovers to help pals Ann Culkin, a 26-year-old HR consultant, and Hilary Jones (27), a beauty consultant, raise funds for a charity climb of Africa's highest mountain, Kilimanjaro, in aid of the Irish Red Cross later this month.
His Night Owls' League team, named the Sligo Plumbing and Heating Company, included four former Rovers players.
The youngest fan at the game was five-month-old Alana Lynch, who travelled from Dundalk with her parents, Francis and Carmel, friends of the organisers.
Alana's brother Francis (3) and sister Aoife (5) were official mascots for Shane's side as he led his squad on to the pitch.
| Source: herald.ie - Anita Guidera
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| The Insider |
06 August 2009 - published yesterday: Westlife's Nicky Byrne and his affable wife Georgina will celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary on Sunday.
The smitten couple, who have twins Rocco and Jay (2), will doubtlessly be hiring a babysitter for the night to mark their anniversary in style as they hit the town together.
Meanwhile, fellow boyband member Shane Filan will this evening realise a childhood dream by leading his own soccer team against home club Sligo Rovers.
The singer arranged the event for pals Lesley Ann Culkin and Hilary Jones, who are climbing Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain, to raise funds for the Irish Red Cross.
| Source: herald.ie
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| No More Covers |
WESTLIFE VOW LATEST ALBUM WILL BE 100% NEW MATERIAL – by Paul Martin
06 August 2009: Westlife have promised fans their new album will have no cover versions as they bid to launch the ultimate pop comeback.
The stars - who have topped the charts with their versions of songs such as Mandy, Uptown Girl and Against All Odds - have given the first insight into their new material to the Irish Daily Mirror.
Singer Shane Filan revealed: "The album will have no covers at all - we want it to be our strongest ever. We're working on it in the studios at the minute and it's really exciting. We took a decision that we didn't want to do any covers at all this time round and give the fans 100% new material.
"We know this has to be something special because we have been away for over a year. I think everyone is going to be really surprised when they hear it."
Westlife first released a cover in 1999 when their version of Abba's I Have A Dream scooped them the Christmas and new Millennium No.1 slot. In 2000, they teamed up with Mariah Carey to release a cover of Phill Collins' Against All Odds, which secured them a world wide No1.
A year later, their cover of Billy Joel's 1983 hit Uptown Girl secured them another top spot before they released a version of little-known Northern Ireland band Relish's Hey Whatever.
Barry Manilow's Mandy notched them up another hit in 2003 before their monster anthem You Raise Me Up also went to No1.
Shane added: "We always prefer to release new material but we never had the luxury of a Gary Barlow-type song writer.
"But we're lucky to be working with some amazing writers and I'm sure this album is going to bring us back with a band.
"We want great up-tempo songs and some really strong ballads. That's what we made our name with and that's what we want to do again.
"The plan is to release the album before Christmas and then hit the road for a tour next year."
| Source: Irish Daily Mirror - Published on 31.07.2009. Thanks Maya and Chrissy for sending the article to Villy @ Westlife.gr
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| Sligo Rovers Match |
06 August 2009: Thanks to Marksbabe18 for the news that Shane’s team won 3-1 with Shane scoring one penalty. Well done Shane.
And here is a link to watch a clip of Shane in action. Click here to view.
| Source: westlife forum. Credits: Marksbabe18.
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| Kerry Game |
05 August 2009: Ahhh thanks to Born2bemrsNB for scanning the picture of Nicky and Bertie at the Kerry game.
| Source: Born2bemrsNB – The Committed
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| Bertie suspends Kerry holiday as he joins fans on road to Croker |
04 August 2009: TRUE blue Dub Bertie Ahern joined the Kerry supporters on the road to Croker today.
However, while the former Taoiseach might have some sympathy for the Kingdom's fans who faced the long drive north-east, he was hoping Pat Gilroy's men would make their journey back seem even longer. Mr Ahern arrived in Kerry on Friday where he has been joined by family members for their annual 'staycation'.
But never one to miss a chance at seeing Dublin in action, he packed the car this morning and headed back to the capital for a few hours only.
Speaking to the Herald over the weekend, he said: "I want to wish Pat Gilroy and all the lads all the best on Monday, here's hoping we get through."
The football-mad politician was expected to be accompanied at the match by his son-in-law, Westlife star Nicky Byrne.
Mr Ahern said during the week that he was "only a baby" when Dublin last overcame Kerry, some 32 years ago. But he reckons that today might be a Dubs' day.
However, if that prediction does come true, he might find the road back to Kerry this evening a little less relaxing.
The Fianna Fail TD is a regular visitor to Kerry, where he spends every summer holiday - but this year's welcome could be a little more hostile if the boys in blue pull off a win at Croke Park.
He is spending his holiday with daughter Georgina and her twin boys Rocco and Jay.
Chick-lit author Cecelia, who recently announced her own pregnancy, has flown back to Ireland from the United States for the annual family holiday.
It is expected that some of the family will be joining the Kerry supporters on the road to Dublin, but they will be discreetly flying their blue flags.
Nicky Byrne who is married to Georgina is a Croke Park regular along side Mr Ahern. Earlier this year, the singer was spotted bringing his two-year-old twins to their first game.
| Source: herald.ie
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| Our star supporters
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03 August 2009: Westlife star Nicky Byrne will be cheering on his beloved Dubs from afar.
The diehard GAA fan revealed on Twitter he is enjoying a "quiet break away" but will no doubt be keeping an eye on events.
The northsider is a Croke Park regular - along with his father-in-law Bertie Ahern - who is confirmed to be attending the game.
The singer was spotted bringing his two-year-old twins, Rocco and Jay, to their first-ever Dublin game earlier this year.
| Source: herald.ie.
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| Bonnie and Gerry Ryan – Mention Of Westlife |
31 July 2009: Much has been made of US President Barack Obama's closeness to his adorable daughters Malia and Sasha. And it's understandable that his relationship with his girls receives so much attention, as President Obama lights up with happiness every time he is in his daughters' company. Somehow it's easy to imagine these bright little girls growing up to follow in their father's footsteps, pursuing careers in law or politics.
The bond between a dad and a daughter is a special thing - and we can't get enough of photographs of famous fathers with their gorgeous little girls, such as Tom Cruise with Suri, Tiger Woods with Sam Alexis, Brad Pitt with Shiloh, or Ben Affleck with Violet.
A father is a role model, and a study by North Carolina State University published earlier this year showed that the relationship between fathers and daughters is leading to an increasing number of daughters who pursue careers in the same field as their dads.
In fact, evidence of the study's findings is clear when we look at the number of daughters following in the footsteps of their high-profile fathers.
Although, some we have to say, are finding more success than others as dad's doppleganger.
Bonnie, daughter of RTE's Gerry Ryan, seems to be a born entertainer like her dad. The 16-year-old singer has already played support to Westlife as one-third of the girl group Lady Nada, which also featured her school friends Pippa and Jessie.
| Source: herald.ie. Shortened for FF
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