‘HAVING OUR KIDS WATCH US IS REALLY SPECIAL'

AFTER YEARS OF WESTLIFE NOT ONLY ARE THEY STILL GOING STRONG BUT THEY’RE LOVING IT EVEN MORE NOW

- GEMMA McCARTNEY

A little band called Westlife was formed back in 1998 – and they went on to become one of the biggest pop groups Ireland’s ever produced. Fast-forward 23 years and Shane Filan, 42, Mark Feehily, 41, Kian Egan, 41, and Nicky Byrne, 43, are as tightknit as ever.

When we meet up with the fab foursome, they’re preparing to tour next year. They’ll be playing their hits, as well as songs from their new album, Wild Dreams. It features numbers written by all four members for the first time – as well as a ballad co-penned by mega pop star Ed Sheeran.

And they’re clearly on cloud nine about playing Wembley Stadium next year, with Nicky gushing, “We’re the only Irish band to do it, apart from U2.”

The band, who have racked up 53 million record sales and 14 number ones, discuss how they drew on tough experiences when writing their latest album, open up about having “healthy arguments” and tell us what their kids make of their success...

So, 23 years is a long time – do you ever fight?

Kian: Of course! We’re like any four guys who spend a lifetime together. You fight with your siblings, but they’re your siblings so you make up. Same with us.