31st August 2007 - Father and Sons (nicky article )maternity and Infant Magazine

 


Father and sons

Westlife's Nicky Byrne talks frankly to Miriam Lee about his love for his twin sons Jay and Rocco, his adoring wife Georgina and of course mastering the art of nappy changing

At the end of a marthon day, new dad, pop idol NickyByrne(if hes lucky)slumps down into a comfy armchair with a well-earned cuppa. With his wife-And Taosieach ,Mr Berties Ahernes eldest daughter -Georgina,they prepare to turn their brains into mush as they dotingly gaze upon their twin infants. Rocco and Jay.

The sexy singers joy is contagious and its plain to see he is genuinely struggling to contain his love and admiration for his little new family.

-Theyre wonderful the icing on the cake,and i cant believe theyre all mine and Goergina's./ he declares proudly.. I just cannot put it into words how much i love them and tell you what it feels like to be a daddy"

Coming from a close familiy himself Nicky has an older sister Gillian,who along with her husband Mark will be godparents to Jay, Nicky's younger brother Adam,along with Georgina's talenetd sister,authour Cecilia, will be godparents to Rocco.

The happy couple who have been together since they were 16 only have eyes for each other, and their beloved sons.- the first granchildren, on both sides of the family .According to Nicky, "thebirth of the babies,has been the most magical experience of our lives".

The very second Georgina doctor told them that the little blue line confirmed a positive result and the extra good news that not one but two bundles of joy were about to invade their world. Nicky decided that he would be there by her side through eveyr joyous step of the entire pregnancy and then some.

Nicky soon relaised that becoming involved from the very beginning made it much easier for him to build up the confidence and assurance he would need to create a loving bond with his unborn sons. Although the parents knew they were having twins,they didnt know the sex of the babies until they came into the world. Nicky declared that it was a "Brillaint surprise" to have two boys, as they had already chosen their favourite names months earlier. We love short names. "I always liked Rocco and chose that last November but we didnt tell a soul.not even our family as we wanted to keep their names a surprise. We also love the name Jay and Rocco reminds us of a little fighter because he was the smaller one of the lads and dctors told us that it was he Rocco that who instigated the onset of early labour for Georgina. Apparnatley he wasnt getting enough nourishment int he womb so he decided it was time to get the hell out there and get some food.

You go through so many emotions when you are a dad. and sleep drepivation just adds to the emotional confusion. People tell you all about it and you say. "ah yeah ill be grand, but you dont know what it is to be tired,until youve been through it,. but the lads are worth every single bit of it and we wouldnt change a single thing. says the beaming dad.

A firm favourite with Nicky is the changing of nappies. He jokes I never even thought about changing a nappy in my life, I mean my mum joked about it. The nurses taught us on a daily basis how to handle then, e them, change their nappies and feed them. but thats was all very fine when you are there in hospital and theyre near by but when we got them home, it was another thing entirely. We are a dab hand at it now and we love every minute sof it ,

Now that the two boys are safely home,tucked up into their own little nursery,Nicky reveals how at the beginning,just immediately after the birth,things were a tad strenuous and upsetting for the happy couple. We thought wed never get them home,to welcome them into their new environment. to love them, cuddle them and do everything for them. The hositapl staff were magnificient but it was so difficult for us to watch them in ICU and althoguh they were perfectly healthy just born a bit early. we knew that we had to keep an eye on them . Georgina and I were there with them, every single day and night to feed them and play with themand of ocurse we kept telling them that we lvoed them and wanted them to bring themhome. The day finally came when Jay was allowed home but they had to keep Rocco ,our little fighter in for another week. That was hell because we couldnt bring Jay in and out to the hospital all the time. The staff advised us that it would be too much of a disruption for him. The only solution was that Georgina and myself had to have alternate visits,which i meant i stayed at home with Jay whlts Miriam (Georginas mum)would drive Georgina to the hpsital to spend the day with Rocco.At nighttime we reversed it and i went to be with him.

Just because Nicky is a supersatr dad,adored by millions of fans doesnt mean he has it any easier when it comes to socialising. Oh no this dad is very much hands on and althoguh there are plenty of offers from Miriam and Yvonne. (Nickys mum) to babysit at the time of this interview the pair had one night out away from the babies. "I suprised Georgina and took her to see Justin Timberlake recently. She was absolutely gobsmacked. Miriam and my mum came over to babsyit for us and we had a ball.. Of ocurse we missed the lads terribly. Its hard to explain but you feel you just canot give them enough of your love and attention and evenbeing away from them for a few hours is awful..

And what about the couples other baby, Keano the golden labrador. Hes great. we introduce him on a regular basis to the lads.Mind you he is spending alot more time in the garden than he used to be intend to make him veyr much part of the boys lives. I hold him on the lead and allow him to get a bit close so that he can become familiar with them, he explains.

Nicky also revealed his sister "Auntie Gillian",is also due to have her baby this year .No doubt hell be on hand to give plenty of hints to the new mum. She cant wait and of course ill help her out with a few tips on nappy cvhanging, he jokes.

He would like to make a special mention of his own parents and Georgina's and recognise the hard work love and effort they put into their childrens upbringing. You know it is only now that im a daddy, that i understand the sacrifices and love that my parents and geroginas parents made for us when we were kids. it isnt until youre in the situation that your realise how much they did for us.

Yep your mum and dad certanly did a woderful job raising you and now armed with those values, you can imbue,that love upon your two lucky boys..

Source: Katrin for scan, me for typing

31st August 2007 - Milky Johns cream of the crop

 
Milky John’s cream of the crop




THIS youngster has joined the ranks of celebrities just by drinking his milk.

Four-year-old John White, of Biggar, is the new face of Scottish milk.

John, who entered an online competition, beat hundreds of contenders in the race to star in a new Scotland-wide advert.

The first non-celebrity to don the famous milk moustache, little John dazzled a panel of judges that included model Nell McAndrew.

advertisement
Nell said: "It was extremely hard choosing a winner, as the entrants were all of such a high standard.

"I chose John as he had a huge, winning grin that made me smile every time I looked at his picture.

"It's not every day you get the opportunity to star in one of Scotland's biggest campaigns."

A nationwide search for the new face of Scottish milk was launched last November.

Adults, teenagers and children were urged to apply and a shortlist was drawn up.

Since its launch four years ago the campaign - run by The Scottish Dairy Marketing Company - has seen a host of famous faces wear the famous milk moustache, including Nell, McFly and Westlife.

Publication date 31/08/07

 

Source: Evening times

29th August 2007 - Late Late Special, New Single & Tour Info

 

Typed by Mojo

Pop Stars Westlife will star in their very own Late Lte Show special as part of RTE’s Christmas schedule.

The chart topping super-group will record the TV tribute on December 21.
It will then be shown over the festive season.

The special will be a rousing warm-up for the band’s 10th anniversary in 2008.

But the recording may clash with Nicky Byrne’s plans to see the US premiere of his sister-in-law’s movie.

The Hollywood premiere of the movie based on Cecilia Ahern’s book, PS I Love You looks set to be held on December 21 too.

“It’s a big day for Cecilia and he and wife Georgina hoped to support her but the premiere appears to be on the same day as the Late Late special,” and RTE source said.

The band is currently in LA filming the video to their next single
Westlife will release the Michael Buble song Home as the first track from their new album.

The romantic song was penned by Buble for his former fiancé Debbie Timuss while he was touring in Italy.

The track went to number one in the adult contemporary charts in America.
It also hit the top spot in the Canadian and Italian charts.

And the Irish foursome now are expecting to have similar success with the track, after all their hard work.

The boys have spent recent weeks in the studio recording their as of yet unnamed album.

They have been working with a whole host of top producers including Steve Mac, Quiz Larossi, Jorgen Elofsson and Maratone.

Full details of 2008 tour dates are expected to be announced shortly.

Credit/Source: Irish Star / Thanx Mojo for typing it up
 

Source: Thanks to Mojo/Villy

29th August 2007 - I'll walk without help by christmas (Westlife mentioned)

 

I'll walk without help by christmas, says Leanne (mentioned Westlife)
Source: Leicester Mercury

A teenager who suffered a brain haemorrhage on a dream holiday in America has set her heart on being able to walk without help by Christmas.

Leanne Deacon collapsed after riding the Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World, Florida, two years ago.

The former Kibworth High School pupil almost died after suffering a blood clot in her brain and two subsequent heart attacks.

Despite her bleak prognosis, Leanne fought back and survived against the odds, and is making far better progress than doctors anticipated.

Today, the 18-year-old still needs a walking frame for the few steps she can take and her sight has been badly affected.

Speaking in her specially adapted bedroom at the family home in Kibworth, she said her biggest aim was to work on her walking.

She said: "They said I would never be able to do what I'm doing now. They said they had never seen anything like it before, and they said I should not be able to do what I do.

"It's hard work, but I push myself. You've got to if you want to walk again.

"Now I want to be walking with my frame but without help, by Christmas."

Her mum, June, 56, said: "It's a miracle how well she has done over the last two years.

"When we were in the pool at the General Hospital the other day she actually took two or three steps before disappearing under the water."

Last February Leanne and her family returned to Florida for the first time since she was taken ill.

First Choice, the company she travelled with in 2005, paid for the trip.

Leanne said: "I enjoyed going back, but it was frustrating because I could not go on any of the rides.

"The trip was to finish the holiday we couldn't finish before. It was cold when we were there but that didn't spoil it."

June said they had planned to go back to the Florida hospital where doctors and nurses worked so hard to save her life, but Leanne could not face it in the end.

She said: "I suppose we all had mixed feelings about going back. The only thing that shook us a bit was when we drove past an advert for the Tower of Terror - nobody said a word.

"I think we were just with our own thoughts."

Leanne's rehabilitation includes swimming and weekly physiotherapy work-outs.

She also enjoys computing classes at the Fosse Neighbourhood Centre, in Leicester, and craftwork sessions at the Headway brain injuries unit, near the city's General Hospital.

One of the highlights of the past few months was seeing Westlife perform in Birmingham, thanks to children's charity Wishes for Kids.

She said: "It was brilliant, and I was quite near the front.

"They picked us up in a limousine which was good and it was the first time I had been to see them.

"I'm a big fan of them and Take That - I might go to see them too, when they're back in England nearer Christmas."

Something else she enjoys doing is playing with her labrabor/springer cross, Sally.

Leanne said: "She thinks everyone is her friend and she's good company. I call her 'Noo-noo' - after Naughty Noo-Noo from the Teletubbies, because she eats everything like a Hoover."

 

Source: /Gitta

29th August 2007 - Girls aloud go West (Westlife mentioned)

 

29th August 2007

Girls Aloud go west (mentioned Westlife)
Source: The Western Mail

Girls Aloud performed in front of around 10,000 music fans last night to officially launch Bryn Terfel's eighth Faenol Festival. While the international bass baritone may be renowned for his operatic performances around the globe, he was keen to bring a "pop" element to his event, affectionately dubbed "Brynfest".

After last year's sell-out opening night by Westlife brought new audiences to the festival, which takes place on the Faenol Estate, near Bangor, he was keen to repeat the experience this year.

Joining the chart-topping girl band were X Factor winner Shayne Ward and pop singer Jamelia.

More than an hour before the first act, Jamelia, took to the stage, crowds of mainly teenage girls donning pink bunny ears or glittering cowboy hats were gathering at the park.

Many of them were waving banners with slogans like "I love GA" as they were clearly delighted that their favourite band were in North Wales.

At 8.15pm Jamelia, wearing khaki shorts and black vest because her dress had been damaged, opened the show with her huge chart hit Superstar.

Her set was followed by a performance from Ward before the main attraction took to the stage.

Girls Aloud performed back-to- back hits such as Love Machine and Sound of the Underground.

While the Westlife show attracted around 11,000 fans and was a sell-out, tickets were still available yesterday for Girls Aloud.

But organisers were expecting many people to purchase tickets in the run-up to the show.

 

Source: The Western Mail/Gitta

29th August 2007 - Ebay conwoman released early (mentions Westlife)

 

Ebay conwoman released early
Published on 28/08/2007

A YOUNG mum who was jailed for six months for duping people out of more than £2,000 in an internet auction scam has been released after just two weeks behind bars.

Haley McTaggart, 24, took money from eight users of ebay for concert tickets she never provided.

Magistrates at Whitehaven jailed her on August 10, saying it was a “deliberate attempt by [her] to obtain money by deception”.

But her lawyers have now an appeal. She has now been given a prison sentence of three months, suspended for two years.

Her solicitor had previously argued a jail term would be “disastrous” because she has a two-year-old child.

McTaggart worked under the screen-name Foxymax, and promised the bidders passes to gigs including Robbie Williams, Westlife and the Reading and Leeds festivals.

She pocketed £2,379 from her victims between June and August 2006.

Christopher Dench lost £403; Siobhan Lloyd £373; Gemma Pratt £370; Michael Davidson and Thomas Waldron each lost £303; Miriam Cressey lost £300; Adam Young lost £200 and Sheila Moseley lost £193.

She admitted eight charges of obtaining property by deception and one of attempting to obtain property from Roger Clays by deception during a previous hearing.

Her solicitor had said McTaggart’s trading started legitimately but she lost track and things “got out of control”.

She was addicted to painkillers and may have suffered post-natal depression, he said.
 

Source: Whitehaven news

29th August 2007 - Simon Cowell is 'jealous of Louis Walsh's new car

 

Simon Cowell is 'jealous of Louis Walsh's new car


Simon is jealous of Louis Simon Cowell is reportedly seething with jealousy over fellow 'The X Factor'judge Louis Walsh's new car.

Simon is said to be annoyed that Louis has treated himself to an exclusive £80,000 Maserati GranTurismo and now wants one for himself.

A source told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "He's heard about Louis' Maserati and wants one."

Westlife manager Louis decided to treat himself to the motor to celebrate winning back his job on 'The X Factor', from which he was sacked earlier this year.

The Irish music mogul used his fame to skip the big waiting list for the luxury car and will be one of the first to own it when becomes available in the UK in October.

'American Idol' judge Simon already owns a fleet of cars, including a top-of-the-range Rolls Royce.

Copyright BANG Showbiz 2007
 

Source: 24-com

27th August 2007 - X MArks the spot for curvy j-lo(mentions WL)

 

X marks the bot for curvy J-Lo

By SARA NATHAN
TV Editor
August 27, 2007


TOP of the bots Jennifer Lopez is to join the X Factor — to act as a mentor for contestants.

J-Lo, 37 — famed for her curvy bum — will line up with Sir Elton John and Celine Dion to perform hits and give tips to the wannabes.


Fellow mentor ... Elton


Show bosses are also in final talks with Kylie Minogue to be another “themed week” superstar.

Sister Dannii, 35, revealed she was keen to rope in Kylie, 39, after joining the ITV1 series as a judge.

She said: “My family are a big part in everything I do and this is a big part of my life.”

X Factor boss Simon Cowell plans nine live shows, with a different star every week.

Last year’s winner Leona Lewis will also appear and other possible guests will be Westlife and Take That, who performed in last year’s grand finale.


Coach ... Celine Dion

Sister act ... Kylie's in talks


The A-list celebs are set to send the show’s record ratings even higher.

ITV chiefs were jubilant again last night after the second show of the new series pulled in 10million viewers.

That is 1.5million more than the same episode in the last series.

The viewing audience was bigger than all the other terrestrial shows put together.

BBC1’s Dance X final managed four million
 

Source:The Sun

26th August 2007 - Nicky's 'a dab hand at it' now

 Nicky's 'a dab hand at it' now
Source: Daily Mail (London)


Parenthood thrills boyband star, but music beckons, too

WESTLIFE fans will be pleased to learn that Nicky Byrne and his band mates are back in the studio recording a new album. The 28-yearold, whose wife Georgina Ahern gave birth to twins Rocco and Jay in April, is delighted to be back at work.
'After taking a few months off to unwind after the tour, we're finally back in the studio,' he said.

'We've been busy working on the new album for the past couple of weeks and are having a really great time.' Nicky spoke earlier this week about how the birth of his twin sons has affected him.

He said: 'The birth of the babies has been the most magical experience of our lives.

'They're wonderful, the icing on the cake and I can't believe they're all mine and Georgina's.

'I just cannot put it into words how much I love them and tell you what it feels like being a daddy.' The twins were premature and had to be kept in intensive care for several weeks before they were born and Nicky said that was a difficult time.

He said: 'We thought we'd never get them home to welcome them into their new environment, to love them, cuddle them and do everything for them.

'The hospital staff were magnificent but it was so difficult for us to watch them in ICU, and although they were perfectly healthy, just born a bit early, we knew that we had to keep an eye on them.

'Georgina and I were there with them every single day and night to feed them and play with them and, of course, we kept telling them we loved them and wanted to bring them home.

'The day finally came when Jay was allowed home but they had to keep Rocco, our little fighter, in for another week.' In an interview with Maternity and Infant magazine he said he's not afraid to get his hands dirty.

'The nurses taught us on a daily basis how to handle them, bathe them, change their nappies and feed them.

'But when we got them home it was another thing entirely.

'We are a dab hand at it now and we love every minute of it.
 

Source:Gitta/ Daily Mail

25th August 2007 - New pictrures of Kian and mark at Stureplan, Sweden

Source:Stureplan.se

23rd August 2007 - Westlife Performing At Stobart Coca-Cola Kidscape Party -

 

On September 28 the Stobart Coca-Cola Kidscape Party will take place at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London.

Acts booked to perform on the night include Westlife and the Sugababes.

A host of undisclosed celebrities will also be attending the event and OK magazine will be taking snaps for a future issue.

Tables for this event are not on sale yet and will not be going on sale to the general public.

A charity auction took place at the annual fundraising day in aid of local children's charities on the 13th annual Stobart Celebrity Golf Classic at Carlisle Golf Club teeing earlier this year. The top prize of the day was the chance to book an exclusive table for ten people at The Grosvenor House Hotel in London on Friday, September 28for the Stobart Coca-Cola Kidscape Party

Source:Villy..older article

22nd August 2007 - Vote for Westlife.com at DMA

 
2007 - August

Westlife.com Up For Digital Music Award


Westlife.com has been nominated in the Best Official Music Site category at the BT Digital Music Awards 2007 – hooray!

To lend your support, make sure you get voting by clicking here.

The results will be announced at the awards ceremony on 2nd October. Keep those fingers crossed!


 

Source:Westlife.com