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| Welcome Back Westlife Competition: Part 4 |
30 September 2009: It’s the final stage of Welcome Back Westlife! and we want you to show off your creative talents. For this challenge, you need to send in your very best poem that describes why you’re looking forward to the boys’ return.
Keep it to a maximum of 10 lines long and send your entries in to westlifehq@live.co.uk along with your full name or username by midday on 14th October. The winners of all four stages of the competition will be revealed the following week and will be posted right here, along with a comment on each winning entry from one of the band.
Good luck!
| Source: westlife.com
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| Westlife Recording Single |
30 September 2009: Ahhh thanks to Nicky and his tweet to let us know they are recording their new single. Fantastic news.
| Source: nickybyrneoffic
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| Album name? |
30 September 2009: Nicky has tweeted about suggestions for the album name. I will have to think about it but reckon it should be something that reflects the next ten years. Here is what he wrote…
feel free to send some album title suggestions my way ! and ill pretend to the lads they were my idea !! if they are great tht is !!
dont dive in !! think first ! remember we are 11 yrs at it ! this is our tenth album ! its very fresh stuff !
| Source: nickybyrneoffic
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| Celebrities on the ball to help charity |
29 September 2009: SPORTS and pop stars took part in a football match against journalists in Cornwall to raise funds for a children's charity.
The game raised cash for Children's Hospice South West's Precious Lives Appeal to build Cornwall's first hospice for youngsters at Porthpean near St Austell.
Celebrity players swept to victory in a 10-4 win in front of hundreds of spectators at Truro Football Club on Sunday afternoon.
The winning team included ex-England footballers Bryan Robson and Paul Merson, ex-Ireland player Keith O'Neill, 1997 World Snooker Champion Ken Doherty, Westlife singer Nicky Byrne, former Wham! star Andrew Ridgeley, Lee Sharpe, ex-Manchester United, and Chris Morris, former Middlesbrough right-back.
Also taking part were Ruel Fox, Tottenham and Newcastle's former right winger, Mike Milligan, former Oldham Athletic star, Bryan Gunn, Norwich City goalkeeping legend, John Fendley, Soccer AM TV star, Alan Moore, ex-Middlesborough and Ireland and Colin Costello, an actor in Ireland.
Nicky Byrne scored the first goal of the match. The singer, who played as a goalkeeper for Leeds United for two years before joining boy band Westlife in 1997, said: "This was such a great idea and it was good to put on my football boots again especially for such a fantastic cause."
The losing team was made up of journalists from the WMN's sister papers the West Briton and the Cornish Guardian as well as Pirate FM and players from Truro City Football Club.
Keith O'Neill, who played for the Republic of Ireland during his career as a professional footballer and now lives in Cornwall, said: "As a parent, the Precious Lives Appeal is very close to my heart and I'm delighted to be able to support the families who need a children's hospice in Cornwall by helping to organise the biggest celebrity football match Cornwall has ever seen."
Emma Lloyd, Children's Hospice South West head of fundraising (West) said: "The match was a great success to help raise vital funds as well as providing a great afternoon out."
All of their hard work was celebrated with some Cornish hospitality at Vertigo in Truro with music by Paul McGahan.
| Source:www.thisiswesternmorningnews.co.uk
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| Celebrity Football Match Truro |
29 September 2009: A celebrity football match, raising money and awareness for Childrens Hospice South West. Amongst the celebrities were Nicky Byrne from Westlife, Bryan Robson and Andrew Ridgeley from Wham! All profits made from image sales in this gallery will be donated to CHSW. Freebird were engaged to capture images of the whole day.
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To view more pictures then click here.
| Source: www.freebird-events.com. Credits: jadelou_TB on the official forum for finding.
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| Celebrity Football Match |
28 September 2009: Ahh congratulations to Nicky’s team for winning the charity match yesterday. And I hear Nicky scored two of the goals.
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| Source: www.thisiscornwall.co.uk. Picture credits: James Ram. Credits: jadelou_TB on the official forum for finding.
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| Bantamweight Title Fight |
28 September 2009: 26 September - Nicky Byrne, from Westlife, is introduced to the crowd ahead of the WBA World Super Bantamweight title fight between Bernard Dunne v Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym.
Hunky Dorys World Title Fight Night, The O2, Dublin.
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| Source: Sportsfile. Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy. Credits for finding: Lou.
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| Marion Coyne Golf Tournament |
25 September 2009: To view more Shane pictures then click here.
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| Source: Sligo Post
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| 'Ageing' Pop Hunks Don't Feel The West |
25 September 2009: Nicky's fears for mature manband
Westlife star Nicky Byrne fears the ageing manband may have to take things easy on stage in future - in a bid to avoid injury.
Hunky Nicky - who confessed to being left in agony after just one game of football this week - admitted he's terrified that the band is getting old.
The chart-topper, who turns 31 next month, shared his panic on his Twitter site after waking up aching following a football match.
"Played football last night - foot is aching", he tweeted. "I don't remember hurting it but I couldn't walk this morning. What's that about?"
"I remember playing three or four games a day no problem. Not now. I'm in pain.
"Is that an age thing?" asked the worried pop star." If so I wanna be 18 again."
Nicky also joked that he and bandmates Shane Filan (30), Kian Egan (29) and Mark Feehily (29) may find it difficult to get off their stools on stage.
"Pipe and slippers are calling - do you still think I can manage to stand up for the key change?" he asked.
"When we do eventually come back we'll have to be careful getting up from our stools too quickly - with our age vertigo can be a problem.
"Better call the lads now to practise slow stand ups."
| Source: The Irish Star. Credits: Villy@westlife.gr/Maya and Chrissy for the scan.
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| Halloween Poll |
23 September 2009: In our last poll, we asked what your perfect gift from Kian would be. Top of your wishlist was a necklace, followed by a cuddly toy, with a bouquet of flowers in third place. View the full results here.
With October fast approaching, our next poll is Halloween-themed! We want to know which costume you’d most like to see the boys dressed in. Join in the debate now!
| Source: westlife.com
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| The Embassy Club |
21 September 2009: Kian was at The Embassy Club on
Saturday with wife Jodi and celebrities from Strictly Come Dancing.
| Source: Mr Paparazzi/Big Pictures Credits:
Samuel Nathan
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| Shane watches the Reds at Jamie Carragher’s restaurant |
18 September 2009 [posted yesterday]: WESTLIFE’S Shane Filan was spotted watching Liverpool versus Burnley at Jamie Carragher’s Café Sports England on Stanley Street. Shane was in the city with his wife Gillian and two children and told our Insider he is a massive Reds fan.
| Source: liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-entertainment
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| Nicky Pictures |
17 September 2009: Ahh thanks to Alfee for finding the two pictures of Nicky attending his friend’s Colin and Karen’s wedding in Nerja.
| Credits: Alfee. Source: photographer.yourweddingmoments.com.
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| Welcome Back Westlife! Part 3 |
16 September 2009: For the next stage in our Welcome Back Westlife! feature, we’d love you to share your homemade Westlife-related videos. Whether it’s you paying homage to the boys through a slideshow of images or talking about why you love the band, we want to see it! Remember, a selection of the best videos will be posted on westlife.com in a few weeks’ time, along with a personal comment about each from Nicky, Kian, Mark or Shane.
Send links to your videos (please don’t send the files themselves) to westlifehq@live.co.uk along with your full name or username by midday on 30th September.
| Source: Westlife.com
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| Bertie Ahern and daughter could go head-to-head at Belfast book signings
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16 September 2009: Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has agreed a deal that will bring him to Belfast next month to sign copies of his long-awaited autobiography ... and he could be followed by his famous daughter, chick-lit author Cecelia
Mr Ahern, who was the first Irish politician to win three elections in a row and helped broker the Good Friday Agreement, will be at Eason’s bookstore in Donegall Place on October 7.
He will spend at least two hours meeting and chatting to potential readers, and if the bookstore chain has its way daughter Cecelia could be here too.
The successful author, who penned the hugely popular PS, I Love You which was later turned into a Hollywood movie, will release her latest novel, The Book Of Tomorrow, on October 1.
And while some might say the former Taoiseach might be used to going up against tough competitors, this will be one battle he has never encountered before.
Last time Cecelia, who is expecting her first child in December, was in Belfast she attracted a large turn-out.
It is expected her father — who stepped down from the Dail after 11 years in power in May 2008 — will do the same.
Bookstore Eason’s confirmed the former Fianna Fail leader was coming to Belfast and that he was looking forward to it.
Book arranger Trevor Proctor said: “He was delighted to agree to the personal appearance and he didn't make any special requests about the date. We are expecting a big turnout on the day.”
His book is called Bertie Ahern: The Autobiography and the controversial Irish politician has been busy writing it since he stepped down from high office.
The week that it hits the shelves could turn out to be unique for the Ahern family with father and daughter set to almost go head-to-head for book sales.
Eason’s are currently in negotiations to bring Cecelia, who is also producer of the hugely successful US sitcom Samantha Who? which stars Christina Applegate, to Belfast for a signing of her latest instalment, The Book Of Tomorrow.
The author has been to Belfast on two previous occasions.
“This is the first time we have dealt with father and daughter authors,” Mr Proctor added.
Mr Ahern, the first Taoiseach to be legally separated from his wife while in office, has another daughter Georgina, who is married to Nicky Byrne of Westlife.
| Source: Belfast Telegraph
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| Why I warned Brian off marrying Kerry - Louis |
16 September 2009: Music mogul Louis Walsh said he warned Brian McFadden not to marry fellow pop star Kerry Katona when they first announced their engagement.
The Westlife manager said he knew things wouldn't work out between them, but "loose cannon" Brian refused to listen. He said: "When Brian and Kerry announced that they were getting married I told him not to do it, but he did.
"They were far too young to have ever gotten married, we could all see that but there was no telling him."
Louis said he did like Kerry, but the couple were too young to make such a deep commitment.
"I had great time for Kerry, they just should have never married and didn't match well together.
"Brian is a loose cannon and always has been, he will do what he wants at the end of the day," he said.
Brian and his controversial ex-wife divorced in 2006, and he is now engaged to Aussie singer Delta Goodrem. X Factor judge Louis said he was happy Brian had found happiness with the beauty. "The one thing that Brian has going for him is Delta. "She is such an incredible and talented girl and he is very lucky to have her in his life," he said.
Brian currently lives in Australia with his fiancee and the couple have plans to wed next year. But the singer recently flew home to Ireland to begin a custody battle with Kerry for their two daughters, Molly (8) and Lilly Sue (6).
The former Atomic Kitten singer has had custody of the girls since their divorce, but recent photos surfacing of her allegedly snorting cocaine have left Brian incredibly concerned.
He has reportedly given her until Thursday to approve legal documents stating he gets immediate, but temporary, custody until she gets better. However if she refuses, sources say he will fight for full custody.
He said: "When he told me that he was leaving Westlife, I told him not to but he did anyway. That was a mistake as far as I'm concerned."
After leaving behind bandmates Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne in 2004, he sang on the duet Almost Here, which is how he met Delta.
| Source: Herald
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| Patrick Turns One |
15 September 2009: Happy 1st birthday to Patrick today. Hope you enjoy your 1st birthday with your family.
Lots of love,
Shazzy xxx
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| Simon Cowell plans to mark 50th birthday with £250k party for celeb mates |
08 September 2009: Simon Cowell plans to mark his landmark 50th birthday with a £250,000 party for 400 celebrity mates and artists he has catapulted to stardom.
But singer Steve Brookstein doesn't need to keep the date free. He's not invited.
Although 40-year-old Steve was the first ever X Factor winner when the talent show phenomenon began back in 2004, he fell out with Simon. Then he was dropped by his record label after just a year. Steve now has the fresh embarrassment of losing out on a party place to zany Big Breakfast puppets Zig and Zag. Oh the shame!
Our spy reveals: "Simon's been planning this party for months and the guest list is phenomenal - a Who's Who of the celebrity world. "All his recording artists - bar Steve Brookstein - have been invited. And all the judges on his shows from both sides of the Atlantic."
We got a peek at the stellar guestlist, which also includes Sir Elton John, David Furnish, Kevin Spacey, Denise Richards, Kate Moss, Kylie Minogue and Donald Trump.
Simon's rumoured new ladyfriend, Mezhgan Hussainy (his make-up artist on American Idol) will be at the party in October, alongside his exes Terri Seymour, model Jackie St Clair and singer Sinitta.
Hosted by Simon's record label, Sony BMG, the entertainment will include performances by Il Divo, Leona Lewis, Westlife, and three top Rat Pack impersonators who are being flown in from Las Vegas.
The black-tie do will be at Wrotham Park, near Barnet - where Cheryl and Ashley Cole held their Wagtastic nuptials in 2006. With two additional marquees and even a smokers' tent!
We're told: "It's going to be the highlight of the showbiz calendar. Simon's not a massive party person, so when he says he's going to do something, he does it in style.
"He's always incredibly composed but he'll definitely be toasting his birthday properly. There will be champagne on tap, plus a three-course banquet.
"But he can't get up to too much, as his mum Julie is the guest of honour."
| Source: www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/news
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| Happy Birthday Filan Forever |
06 September 2009 – Yay it is our 1st birthday today. I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has visited and supported this site. ;o)
Hopefully we will get to hear some album news and tour dates soon. As soon as I hear anything I will post it on the site.
Lots of love,
Shazzy xxx
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| Halt put on Shane's Dromahair project |
06 September 2009 (published 02 September): The mislaying of a planning objection has plunged a development company owned by Westlife singer Shane Filan and his brother Finbarr into a legal limbo over its plans for a major €3 million project in Dromahair.
It has emerged that one of nearly 70 objections lodged against the project was mislaid and was not considered when An Bord Pleanala made its decision to grant planning permission to Shafin Developments for the three-storey commercial centre which is to house a shop, gym and creche.
Leitrim County Council had originally turned down planning for the project, but the go-ahead was given when the Filan brothers appealed the decision to An Bord Pleanala.
The application sought permission to demolish the former Breffni Centre in the village and replace it with a 370 sq meter unit.
Tenants had already been secured for the shop and the creche, and construction work was due to commence on site before the end of September.
However, it has now emerged that a submission made to the Bord by the owners of Dromahair's Londis and Spar supermarkets, arguing against the granting of planning permission, was "lost" and was never considered.
In their submission, Shafin had maintained their development would help Dromahair to become "self-sufficient" and would prevent "spending leakage" to Sligo town. They also argued there would be enough business for shops in the village.
The Bord Pleanala inspector who examined the Shafin appeal concluded that it had provided the only detailed evidence on the impact of the proposed development on existing shops.
But, in fact, a submission had been made last January by the Londis and Spar supermarkets in Dromahair addressing the potential impact of the new development. An Bord Pleanala has now conceded that this submission was mislaid due to "an administrative error" and was not taken into consideration when the decision was made in favour of granting planning permission to Shafin.
Solicitors for the shop owners have now written to the Bord complaining that the professional report they submitted, at a cost of €3,200, had been lost.
The Bord offered to reimburse the supermarkets their submission fee of €50 but this was rejected and the shop owners have now sought a judicial review in the High Court, seeking full costs.
The Filans have now been told the Bord may have to "concede the case" and that the planning permission they received is "at serious risk of being quashed."
Mr. Finbarr Filan confirmed to THE SLIGO CHAMPION yesterday that his company is now taking legal advice about its position. "We're dumbfounded. While we accept a mistake was made and that objectors are entitled to have their case considered, the fact remains that we have valid planning permission. "We are within three weeks of a start up, and we still believe this development will be good for the future of Dromahair," he said.
| Source: sligochampion.ie. Credits: Jim Gray
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| Welcome Back Westlife! Part 2 |
02 September 2009 – For the second part of our Welcome Back Westlife! feature, we want to see your very best Westlife-related pictures. The more creative the better – draw one of the boys, make a photo collage, whatever you like!
We’ll pick a handful of our favourite entries and display them here in a few weeks’ time along with a comment on each one from a member of the band.
Send your entries to westlifehq@live.co.uk along with your full name or username by midday on 14th September.
| Source: westlife.com
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| 'Against all odds': Westlife Firms Buck A Trend |
01 September 2009 – Companies owned by pop stars Westlife saw their cash reserves jump by more than €1m last year.
In abridged accounts lodged with the Companies Office last week, Bluenet, which lists the four members of Westlife – Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne and Kian Egan – as directors, saw cash at the bank and in hand jump from €441,173 to €1.49m while debtors also increased by more than €124,000 to over €1.01m.
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Bluenet is a subsidiary of holding company Blacknight, of which all four members of Westlife are directors. Blacknight also saw its cash reserves jumped by €118,921 to €119,084 last year. Blacknight's debtors rose substantially to €962,772 in 2008. However, this is mainly due to an inter-company loan to Bluenet worth €860,848. Westlife opted to take a year off during 2008 but despite this the group's PAYE tax liabilities increased over the year, with both companies paying a total of €442,833 in income tax over the period, – up more than €58,000.
At least one of the Westlife members is an optimist, according to accounts filed earlier this year. Assets including stocks and "work in progress" held by Shane Filan's company, Shafin Developments, increased in value by more than €482,000 to €7.27m in 2008 despite a falling stock market. However, on closer inspection it appears that Shafin Developments looked on the bright side by valuing them at their original cost while admitting their value may be "overstated".
| Source: www.tribune.ie. Credits: Gareth Naughton
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