Brian McFadden will discuss his dramatic departure from Westlife with former bandmate Nicky Byrne for the first time.
The singer, 44, shocked fans when he quit boyband Westlife back in 2004 at the height of the group’s popularity.
Westlife carried on as a quartet made up of Nicky, Shane Filan, Markus Feehily and Kian Egan and continue to perform together to this day.
In Nicky’s podcast Nicky Byrne HQ, he will sit down with top celebrities and public figures to discuss their lives, careers, and the highs and lows that shaped them.
In a special first episode, Nicky and Brian two will have an open conversation about Brians departure and its impact on both their lives and careers.
Brian McFadden will discuss his dramatic departure from Westlife with former bandmate Nicky Byrne for the first time
The singer, 44, shocked fans when he quit boyband Westlife back in 2004 at the height of the group’s popularity (L-R Brian, Markus Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Shane Filan)
After leaving Westlife, Brian released his debut solo album Irish Son in November 2004 which featured the number one single Real To Me.
He later parted ways with his record label and has released four more solo albums over the years, the most recent Otis came out in 2019.
Back in 2013, Brian insisted he had no regrets about leaving Westlife but was sorry he missed out on the financial windfull of the band who continued to enjoy great success after his departure.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, he said: ‘I’d never admit to myself that I regretted leaving, but four years later when my UK record label didn’t want to put out my second solo album, it made me think maybe I should have just stayed in the band.
‘But then I’d just have been staying for the money and I never did this for the money.
‘I probably had financial regrets. We didn’t even know what we used to earn in Westlife. The accountants just kept adding up. I’m glad I’m not that millionaire any more. This way, you work harder and enjoy it more.
‘The pleasure I have had since leaving keeps me alive, though it’s been a rollercoaster.
‘One minute I’ll have a number one single, then I’ll have a single that doesn’t even make the Top 40, then I’ll think I’m finished and then I come back a couple of years later.
In Nicky’s podcast Nicky Byrne HQ, he will sit down with top celebrities and public figures to discuss their lives, careers, and the highs and lows that shaped them
Brian insisted he had no regrets about leaving Westlife but was sorry he missed out on the financial windfull of the band who continued to enjoy great success after his departure
Brian has since teamed up with former Boyzone star Keith Duffy to form Boyzlife
‘In Westlife, we went through a stage where we thought we were invincible. We didn’t realise how lucky we were.’
Brian has since teamed up with former Boyzone star Keith Duffy to form Boyzlife.
The pair released their debut album Strings Attached in 2020 and are embarking on a new tour in 2025.
Boyzone — comprised of Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Mikey Graham, and Shane Lynch — achieved international fame and six UK number ones, including Words, No Matter What, All That Matters To Me and You Needed Me.
The band officially split in 2000 but frequently got back together for landmark tours – including the Back Again… No Matter What tour in 2009—which was the last time they performed as a five-piece.
The band reunited in 2013 to celebrate their 20th anniversary with a tour and new releases.
Fans can tune in to the first episode of Nicky Byrne HQ featuring Bryan McFadden, available on all major streaming platforms from 10 October.
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Read more at DailyMail.co.uk