We are simply the BESTlife, Si
Westlife launch X Factor comeback under Simon Cowell's watchful eye
WESTLIFE launch their mega comeback on X Factor tonight and a certain Mr COWELL will be watching very closely.
Determined to knock TAKE THAT from their best band perch, he's personally overseen every aspect of the Irish lads' relaunch, even what threads they wear.
I sat down with KIAN EGAN, SHANE FILAN, NICKY BYRNE and MARK FEEHILY for an XSclusive chat before the biggest performance of their lives. Nicky said: "Simon's competitive about it. We're his Take That. We don't want to be second best.
"For years when they were off the scene we had it all to ourselves. So we had to come back with a strong song.
"We were the grand-dads of pop. Now they're back we're the babies again."
Kian added: "Simon is convinced it's going to be massive. He's more into music now than he has been for the past few years when he's focused on TV. He even wants to know what we're wearing for video shoots."
Rockier
I had a sneak listen to the rockier new sound on What About Now, which you'll hear tonight, and it's brilliant. A sure bet for No1 next week.
Nicky admitted: "We were equally uncomfortable with the band's direction in the last few years, as the fans were." But they've ruled out bringing Brian McFadden back to the group. "He'd never come back," Shane insisted. But Nicky could see a one-off reunion: "We wouldn't rule out performing a song with Brian in the future."
The lads were devastated by the death of STEPHEN GATELY, although they hope it won't be the end for BOYZONE.
"I'd hate to see their comeback die with him," Nicky said. "Going ahead with a new album would be a great way to celebrate Stephen, especially as they've recorded some tracks already with his vocals."
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This article has 28 comments
I agree with alot of the comments here. Even if you don't like Westlife, you can't deny their amazing vocals and sensational live performances. They are fantastic people and excellent role models. Their songs are easy to listen to and a break from the contemporary music of today. They might not be worldbreakingly original, but their songs speak to so many people and of all age groups. They're also some of the hardest workers in the industry, and despite a member leaving, negativity from the critics, they're still determined and are still going strong.
Westlife deserves their success, they've earned it. Everyone's entitled to their own opinions but some of the rude comments are really uncalled for.
By Shasti.. Posted November 24 2009 at 2:35 AM.
I would like to see all you that are slating Westlife on here get up on a stage like they do & be as good live. I've seen both Westlife & Take That live & I have to say Westlife are amazing live. There vocals are amazing, whereas at times Take That were flat!!!! If you think you're any better then instead of talking about it, do it & apply for XFactor, see how far you get.
Westlife are clean cut & never receive bad press cos they're good irish boys. I'd rather my niece who's 15 grow up with Westlife as role models than Take That!!!!
By Rachael Brough.. Posted November 5 2009 at 11:32 PM.
westlife are crap they have copied every song they have ever sung
By ah.. Posted October 31 2009 at 2:25 PM.
I'm really happy the boyz are back..I can't wait for the new album :)
By Charity.. Posted October 30 2009 at 10:16 AM.
so happy westlife are Home bk yet again been waiting all year while they had well deserved time off but carnt wait for the ablum and also the tour as i will be there like every tour, good luck boys xxx
By sarah louise .. Posted October 26 2009 at 6:46 PM.
Yet another cover - Westlife have more covers than the NHS! To be compared to Take That they need to start writing their own material, or at least performing some origional material. If they are a bit scared, they could always cover a Leona track for the B side (include extra air grabs for the video - always a winner!).
By Bob the Beast.. Posted October 26 2009 at 3:45 PM.
WESTLIFE are back they have been sorely missed, they looked fantastic last nite on the X-Factor and they ARE better than TAKE THAT, i think it would spoil it if they had Brian back same as Take That who should not have Robbie back.
By Heather Hill.. Posted October 26 2009 at 2:59 PM.
so nice to hear westlife are returning at long last someone who can sing and give us fans some great music, PLEASE LADS DONT BRING BRIAN BACK HES NOT GOOD FOR THE GROUP NEITHER CAN HE SING
LOVE MARK THE WAY HE LOOKS AT U WITH THOSE SEXY EYES,
By andy.. Posted October 26 2009 at 12:45 PM.
Ok you've made your millions doing covers and trying to look as cool as you can do, thought we had seen the last of you but jesus you're back like a bad smell, go away again....... please.
By Bonniescottwillow.. Posted October 26 2009 at 9:14 AM.
westlife are utter tripe they can never be better than take that lmao
By seamus.. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:37 PM.
The boys are back.............they are Great xxx
By Lisa Mistry.. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:38 PM.
it is great that the boys r back herd ther new song on xfactor and they were brilliant it is defo a nb 1
By carolinepaterson.. Posted October 25 2009 at 9:31 PM.
IT GOOD 2 SEE U ALL BACK .WE HAVE MISSD U XXXXXXX
By LORRAINE WOOLDRIDGE.. Posted October 25 2009 at 8:04 PM.
please to hear that you are back.I have missed you so much westlife.Can,t wait to see you on the x factor.Looking forward in buying your in single and cd.I love the westlife boys so much. I love shane,s smlie and his love to the rest of the band. Shane is right you don,t need britan back as he kept messing around and didn,t sing very well. westlife have got better and stronger now that it is just the four of them. keep up the good work.
By nicola marshall.. Posted October 25 2009 at 7:47 PM.
when are westlife going on tour again, have missed them for 2 years
By kathy gates.. Posted October 25 2009 at 6:25 PM.
thank you guys for make us happy!!!
kisses from Argentina... see you soon!!!!
By chechu_filan.. Posted October 25 2009 at 5:31 PM.
Westlife for the number one! love them they are amazing and deserve the success they have had, really want What About Now to do well
By leanne.. Posted October 25 2009 at 4:17 PM.
Can't wait for X Factor tonight! It's great to see the boys back. The song's only been out for 15 and a half hours and already its #28 in the UK iTunes chart and #2 on the Amazon chart, I'm sure it will be #1 by next week!
A 15th #1 for Westlife would be a great way to mark a brand new decade for the world's best pop band!
By Kirsty M.. Posted October 25 2009 at 3:33 PM.
its been one long year but finally the westlife guys are back! cant wait to see their return on x factor tonight.
By andrea bennett.. Posted October 25 2009 at 2:41 PM.
Right ther're are thousands of us westlife fans out there, and we want them to stay for many more years to come. The new song is fantastic, so come on lets get this single to number one for them, and for us.
By vicky clift.. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:49 PM.
Whos right is it anyway to comment at all on peoples musical tastes. There are many different types of music, to some it is pure rubbish,to others its fantastic. Have people never heard of the saying "if you have nothing nice to say, then say nothing at all". I am a massive Westlife fan, i love them and their music.i love seeing them in concert, and enjoy their music very much, like thousands of us out there do. I think their new single is fantastic and a sure hit. Good one lads on anothere fantastic song, and no they didnt write it but who gives a damn, i generally listen to music with my ears and if i like what i hear then thats good enough for me.
By vicky clift.. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:43 PM.
great to hear the inside information on ur thoughts
great to see you guys back
no 34 in itunes charts already (uk)
westlife are officially back
can't wait for tonight
thank you
westlife official fan's
By westlife official fan's.. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:37 PM.
its great to have westlife back, cant wait to get my handfs on the new single and album!
By naomi.. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:58 AM.
I love westlife and one of the things I love about westlife is I want my kids to look up to them. Married childhood sweethearts, kids in wedlock, live by their mums, go round their mums for sunday dinner. Heaven forbid my kids ever worship Amy Winehouse. People spend all their life complaining about the youth of today, disrespect etc etc but have the cheek to call WL boring and think Amy Winehouse, Robbie Williams, the Gallachers etc are wonderful, you think that you have no right to complain if your car gets vandalised or you get cheek in the street
By Christine.. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:49 AM.
I am so glad that westlife are back i love their new single and i bet it will be the best album. cant wait to see them on the x factor 2nyt they will steal the show as always xxx
By Teresa.. Posted October 25 2009 at 11:43 AM.
LOVE THEM!!! new single is FAB!
By Lauren.. Posted October 25 2009 at 10:59 AM.
Westlife are model examples of 4 lads having a great time on stage, knocking out hit after hit (like it or not), and giving our younger generation something to look upto as decent rolemodels.
Or would you rather have them following in the footsteps of Ms Winehouse, and having the arrogance and pettiness of the afforementioned 'one hit wonder adele'? These boys will be around a lot longer than she will. And so they should be. With countless more fans and more people buying heir records, it makes me proud to be British. Or would you like us to be stuck in the dark ages, where singers are glorified for their off the mic activities?
By Steve Daughnahey.. Posted October 25 2009 at 7:11 AM.
Simon Cowell is trying to earn millions by driving British music back into the dark ages. Thank God artists like Amy Winehouse and Paul Weller and Adelle refuse to worship at his altar of mediocrity, and still manage to drive music in this country foever thrusting forward.
By Keith Price.. Posted October 25 2009 at 1:31 AM.