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For older news see below August 2008 news articles :
If you take anything for another
site or want to share with other people on anywhere public these post a link
back to this site as a courtesy....
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29th August 2008 : IRMA ALBUM CHART 29/8/2008 |
UNBREAKABLE THE GREATEST HITS VOL.1
LW - 49
TW - 55
BACK HOME
LW - 52
TW - 58
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Source:Credit/Source:Gloria
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29th August 2008 : Mark in september edition of Attitude Magazine |
The September issue of Attitude is out today and
its a very special Youth Issue where we have teamed up with gay rights
group Stonewall to mount the UKs biggest ever campaign against
homophobic bullying in schools.
Some of the UKs biggest gay and gay friendly celebrities have joined us
to support Stonewalls Education For All Campaign with their slogan SOME
PEOPLE ARE GAY. GET OVER IT!
They include Sir Ian McKellen, Alan Carr, Mark Feehily from Westlife and
Dan Gillespie Sells who all star on the cover of the new issue and
inside talk candidly about their own experiences of bullying, growing up
gay and why its so important that we all come together to force schools
to start dealing with this issue seriously.
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Source:Credit/Source: www.attitude.co.uk / Carly
/ Qaleluv /
Mark & Kevin Lovers
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29th August 2008 : Write A Football Chant For Nicky! |
29.08.2008
Write
A Football Chant For Nicky!
With Soccer Aid just over a week away, we've got a fab competition for
you.
We want you to come up with a football chant about Nicky! If you were
at Soccer Aid, what would you shout to show him your support?
Post your entry in the special
forum thread. Entries must be no
longer than 8 lines and if you like, you can tell us what tune it would
be sung to. We'll pick five of the best to display right here on the
homepage, with one signed photo of Nicky being awarded to our favourite
entry.
Closing date is midday on Friday 5th September. Don't forget to tune
in to the match on Sunday 7th September, ITV1, and cheer Nicky on! |
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Source:Westlife.com |
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29th August 2008 : Earliest IOU Picture ... |
The first ever picture of IOU, taken from Mark Feehilys
exclusive interview with Sligo Weekender which you can read by clicking
HERE
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Source:Linda from committed for scan... |
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28th August 2008 : NEW GIRL BAND UPDATE |
We wish the best of luck to Rosanna Egan who will join with other 29
hopefuls in the next round of the selection process for Ireland's new
five-member all girls' band. The 30 ladies, who also include Leanne
Moore, will attend a Recording Studio in Camden St, Dublin. The day's
programme will be facilitated by Westlife's Cian Egan and a
choreographer. The lucky few will be recalled on Thursday for the final
selection
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Source:nenaghguardian.com |
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27th August 2008 : FunFactory.ie sells Sligo for hen parties etc....
mentions Westlife |
I found a website which is selling Sligo for hen nights
etc.. and i thin its cute Westlife are listed as an attraction lol
Heres the article
Sligo
Sligo - Land of Hearts Desire is the tag line on the official website
for Sligo Tourism. And if your heart desires great shopping, cool bars,
stylish cafes and restaurants set in picturesque surroundings then this
is the place for you! There are a myriad of trendy clothing and shoe
boutiques. The Quayside Shopping Centre boasts a large number of high-street
shops including River Island, Warehouse and Oasis. Youre spoilt for
choice when it comes to selecting a restaurant as everyones tastes and
budget are catered for here. Finally, dont forget to make time for
seeing some local attractions youre sure to spot Shane, Kian or Mark
from Westlife wandering about their home town!
The sample packages listed below are based on staying in 4* luxury
apartments with full use of all hotel amenities including late night bar
& leisure facilities.
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Source:fun factory.ie |
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27th August 2008 : I'm Kian To Be In Louis Band But It's Not A Fix |
I'm Kian To Be In Louis Band But It's Not A Fix
Sexy Jodi Albert has hit back at claims the Irish girl band she
auditioned for is a "fix" and admitted: "I have no idea if I'll get in."
The TV babe joined more than 1.000 hopefuls at try-outs in Dublin last
month for the group that will be managed by her fianc Kian Egan and pop
mogul Louis Walsh.
Some furious rejects claimed she had already been picked for the group
and that the auditions were a publicity stunt.
But Jodi, 25, has hit back saying: "I'll give you the honest low down.
Louis wants to put an Irish band together and he asked me to audition
and I did.
Isaid to Kian that I really don't want any favours. If they do want me
to be a part of the project I want to get the place because I've earned
it not because of the people I know or am involved with. If I don't get
picked that's fine. I've been to plenty of auditions and not been picked.
Kian is the co-manager so he does have a say but he won't get to chose
wether I'm in the band or not.
I've not worked on favours. It's always been blood, sweat and tears and
I like it like that because any success I get I know it's because of me
and not my fianc or whatever."
But she admitted Louis was already impressed with her talents after
hearing a demo tape of her singing.
Sha added: "He heard a demo of me singing three month ago. I didn't play
it to him by the way! So I was really flattered he asked me in the first
place because Louis will hold the final stage of auditions next week to
pick his final five band members."
Simon Cowell has already expressed an interest in the band and said:
"I'm definitely going to take look at them. If they are the right
product and there is a proper purpose to them then I will sign them up."
And Girls Aloud star Cheryl Cole has said she will relish the challenge
of taking on the new Irish rivals. She told the Irish Daily Mirror: "I'm
not scared at all. I'm looking forward to seeing what they've got."
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Source:Gitta @
Sweet Westlife Boys
/ Lucy from
Brian McFadden Online |
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27th August 2008 : Jodi's Man Not So Kian On Make-up |
JODI Albert will go for the nude look at her wedding to Westlife Star
Kian Egan - by stunning make-up.
Former Hollyoakes babe Jodi, 25 - currently busy planning their dream
day at a secret exotic location - says Kian, 28, likes the natural look.
"When we go out he's like 'Please don't wear make-up babe,' and I'm like
'OK'." she said.
"He hates it when I wear mascara. He doesn't like the look of really
made-up eyes and he tells me that my natural look is much nicer."
And Jodi admitted that she likes to respect the wishes of her Westlife
man.
"I look for comfort ultimately. It's not very glamorous but that's what
I like." she said.
"Of course, I like wearing high heels and dressing up when I'm going
out."
Curvy
And gorgeous Jodi told OK! magazine she likes to stay curvey and keep
some meat on her bones.
She said: "I love curvy women and I'm not just saying that because I've
got hips. Ask a man if they find a skinny women attractive and they'll
more than likely say no.
Men like curves, of course men like that, they don't want to grap
onto bones."
Jodi also revealed that she and sligo man Kian have finally found their
dream wedding location.
After a month-long search of foreign getaways, the glam couple have
settled on an exotic location.
The couple were snapped on holidays on the Caribean island of Barbados
earlier this year.
Jodi said: "We found our venue. I won't say anything more about it other
than we're really happy with it and that I'm so excited. The wedding
reflects exactly who me and Kian are as a couple. It's so 'us', it's our
vibe and everything. It's brilliant and I can't wait for it!"
Jodi insisted that she did not ask for any favours when she auditioned
for Westlife manager Louis Walsh's new girlband in Dublin last month.
She said: "I said to Kian that I really didn't want any favours. My
whole life I've not worked on favours, it's always been blood, swaet and
tears and I like it like that because any success I get I know it's
because of me and not my fianc or whatever.
I really do believe that. If they do want me to be part of the project I
want to get the place because I earned it not because of the people I
know or am involved with."
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Source:Gitta @
Sweet Westlife Boys
/ Kians named Nurse from
The Committed |
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26th August 2008 : Vote for Westlife.com and WFVIP in the DMA's
Awards.// |
Ok. Westlife.com have asked us to
vote for them in the DMA, but WFVIP is also nominated in different
categories. Me for unoffical and Westlife official so you can vote for
us both .... Here is the Westlife message from .com
26.08.2008
Vote Westlife In The DMAs
In just over a month the music industry will gather together for the BT
Digital Music Awards, the only awards dedicated entirely to digital
music entertainment.
Westlife are in the running for the People's Choice Award, an award that
gives you the chance to show your appreciation for the band and all
their online activity.
Since the last awards westlife.com has had a big relaunch, with blogs
from the boys, exclusive info, competitions and a whole lot more.
However, the boys need your help to win.
To show your support for the band and add your vote just click
HERE.
Voting closes on 25th September and the awards take place on 2nd October.
If you want to vote for WFVIP you can do so too by clicking on link
below
Vote for wfvip here
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Source:westlife.com/WFVIP |
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26th August 2008 : One world one dream album review |
Various Artists
`One World One Dream'
SonyBMG
The Olympics just ended but you can still keep the spirit alive by
listening to the official album for the Beijing Olympics. Remember the
exciting Olympic moments with uplifting power ballads, such as ``That's
My Goal'' by Shayne Ward and ``Us Against the World'' by Westlife, and
perky dance numbers like ``Take You There'' by Sean Kingston and ``Dream
Catch Me'' by Newton Faulkner.
Overall, many of the songs will still be worth listening to long after
the Olympic memories have faded. Except maybe for ``Light the Passion
Share the Dream'' (sung by the contestants of Miss World 2008) and
``China World,'' which grates on the ears with the chorus ``Beijing
Olympic Games will be great.''
- Cathy Rose A. Garcia |
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Source:korea times |
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25th August 2008
: Mosney's marathon Community Games run comes to an end (mentions
Westlife) |
MOSNEY waved goodbye to 35
years of community games drama last night as the youth event celebrated
its 40th anniversary.
The Co Meath venue was given a fitting send-off by the current crop of
competitors, as well as some of Ireland's greatest sporting heroes,
whose fledgling careers were nurtured by the games.
From next year, Athlone Institute of Technology in Co Westmeath will
host the event, which has outgrown its current location.
Speaking at the national finals' closing ceremony yesterday, HSE
Community Games president Micheal Curley, said: "As we bid goodbye to
Mosney, we look back with nostalgia over the many happy years that we
have had here.
"It will always hold a special place in the hearts and minds of all
those who have been involved and participated in the HSE Community
Games."
Community Games PR and marketing director Margaret Bolton said it was a
sad day for everyone who was involved in the event.
"It's the end of 35 years of Mosney," she said.
"This has been a really special place for us. Generations of children
have set their sights on getting here, so it may be hard for them to
initially adapt to the new location.
"A lot of the current stars from acting and music, like Westlife, as
well as the sporting world, have come through our ranks. It's great to
see them go on and achieve so much success.
"There are so many memories that we would probably need over four books
to tell the full story."
Ms Bolton said that this year's community games had been as good as
anything that had come before. Former 5000-metre world champion Sonia
O'Sullivan, who competed in the community games as a youngster, attended
the event and received a warm reception during a lap of honour.
Legend
GAA legend Pat Spillane was also spotted cheering for his son, Pat Jnr,
who was carrying on his family's famous sporting name in rugby rather
than his father's chosen field.
Tributes to the games at Mosney poured in from former athletes who used
the event as a springboard for their later achievements.
Former Ireland and Sunderland soccer star Niall Quinn said the community
games honours still meant more to him than some of his greatest
professional achievements.
"Frequently, people ask me to reveal my proudest moment in sport," he
said. "World Cup? Wembley? Landsdowne Road? Well, they are always wrong.
My proudest moment was in September 1975 at Mosney, in the All-Ireland
under-12 long puck final."
Movie star Colin Farrell said: "Community games was a blast, all my
mates did it so we could meet the girls. I was good at football and
remember I would have liked to have gone pro at the time, but I chose
girls. Should've stuck with football!"
- Stephen O'Farrell
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Source:independent.ie |
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25th August 2008
:Westlife, the best Irish boyband |
Westlife have been voted the fourth best boy band ever, beating
fellow Irish group Boyzone by two places in the poll.
The two bands, both formed by pop svengali Louis
Walsh, feature in an online survey to find the
worlds top 10 boy bands, dating back as far as the
1960s.
Surprisingly, the Beatles only manage second
place in the list, trailing behind the recently
reformed Take That, who were named the greatest boy
band ever.
The Beatles are considered by many pop
commentators as the original boy band but were still
pipped to the post by Take That.
The Jackson Five, with hits like Ill Be There
and I Want You Back, came third in the survey
carried out by website onepoll.com.
American 60s band The Monkees, who had their own
television show, came fifth, one behind Westlife,
while the Bee Gees were seventh, just beaten by
Boyzone.
Backstreet Boys, New Kids On The Block and The
Osmonds made up the final three places in the top
10.
Up to 5,000 music fans were surveyed for the
poll.
Westlife were formed in 1998 in Dublin by Walsh,
who was already enjoying success at the time with
Boyzone.
Originally a five-piece, the band became four
after Brian McFadden quit in 2004.
Westlife celebrated their 10th anniversary this
year and are still going strong, with album sales of
over 40 million worldwide, 14 number one singles and
numerous awards.
Boyzone split in 2000 after seven years together.
Last year they became the latest band to re-form and
kicked off their Reunion Tour at the Odyssey Arena
in Belfast.
Take That were one of the most successful pop
acts in the world during the 1990s, but split at the
height of their fame in 1996 not long after the
departure of Robbie Williams.
News of their reunion was greeted with much
hysteria in 2006 and their comeback single Patience
reached number one, as did their album Beautiful
World.
The band went on to win a prestigious Brit Award
in 2007 for Patience and in 2008, they took home two
more for Best Live Act and Best British Single.
A spokesperson for onepoll.com said that he
wasnt surprised at their top spot in the survey.
This has to be down to their amazing comeback,
he said.
Meanwhile, a host of boy bands failed to make it
into the top 10 including award-winning McFly,
Busted, Blazin Squad and also Blue.
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Source:Belfast telegraph |
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23rd August 2008
: Unofficial 2009 Westlife calendar with free stickers |
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There is an unofficial
2009 Westlife calendar available for pre ordering and includes a sheet
of stickers
Pre order
HERE
Approximate Measurements:
297mm x 420mm (11.75" x 16.5")
16 Month Starting September 2008
Month-to-view
Wire-O bound
Full Colour Sheet of Stickers
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Source:calendarmegastore |
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23rd August 2008
: Where are the babes from soaps.... |
JODI ALBERT
Jodi became one of the most talked
about Hollyoaks babes. The 25 year-old
won the 2005 British Soap Award for
sexiest female for her portrayal as
Debbie Dean and since leaving the show
she has continued to make the headlines
by appearing in raunchy photoshoots, in
shows such as Casualty and getting
engaged to Westlife singer Kian Egan.
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Source:redorbit |
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22nd August 2008
: IRMA music positions for Westlife albums Unbreakable and Back Home |
This week in the Irish music charts, The following
Westlife albums are at the below positions
Unbreakable :The greatest Hits volume 1
LW - 59 TW- 49
Back Home
LW - 48 TW : 52
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Source:IRMA/Gloria |
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20th August 2008
-Jodi in Ok! glamourous photoshoot, talking about her wedding plans. |
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Jodi Albert, the gorgeous star opens up
to OK!!
When Jodi Albert arrives at our exclusive shoot she is freshly bronzed
from a carribean holiday supsect her golden glow and huge smile has
something to do with the fact that the couple travels, were not just to
work on their tans but to find a venue for their wedding next year.
OK! last saw Jodi and Kian, in February, shortly before they embarked on
a world tour to find the perfect place for their nuptial and Jodi
confesses, "We found it and it perfect". Im so excited .
Weddings are on the couples minds for more than one reason. Kian
recently sang along side his Westlife bandmates at Wayne and Coleen
Rooney's wedding in Italy. And like Coleen, who wore 3 dresses for her
special day, Jodi mind is turning to what she will be wearing for hers.
With fashion on our minds, OK! and Jodi talk wedding dresses, why Kian
might soon be her boss and getting filthy looks from famous designers.
We trust from the smile on the face that youre travels have produced
your dream wedding location
J:We found our venue, I wont say anything more about it other than we
are really happy with it, and that im so very excited. !!!!
You took a month to find this perfect place, have you planned any other
aspect of the day?
J:We literally planned everything when we were away, Im not stressed by
it at all, Its going to come around so fast , and im so excited .....
Can you give us any clues to what the wedding will be like?
J:The wedding will reflect exactly who me and Kian are as a couple. Its
so us in our vibe and everything.... Its brilliant and i cant wait for
it.
Kian went to a huge celebrity wedding as the enterainment ....[/]
J:The boys has a fantastic time, at Wayne and Coleen's wedding. They all
said that the family, Wayne and Coleen were really nice and i thought it
was hilarious that Wayne got up and sang with them.
[b]Do you think Wayne will be swapping football for crooning
Kian said it wasn't that he had a great voice it was that he knew all
the words.Hes a real Westlife fan. Everyone was saying that it was
really nice that Coleen liked Westlife but it wasnt. It was Wayne who
wanted the boys there.
Coleen has 3 dresses for her big day, Would you go for that many ???
I dont think i could handle that many changes, but she looked wonderful
in eveyrhting.
You had an interesting with Roberto Cavalli this year didnt you??
Yes at Sir Eltons John's White tie and tiara ball. You should have seen
my face, it was the funniest thing. Mark and Kevin Mcdaid, were in front
of us in the queue and i saw this Italian guy with these gorgeous women
around him, standing near us in this line. It was the line to shake
Elton John's hand and have a picture. I didnt realise who he was cause
im oblivious. I saw this guy turn aorund with a blank face and he looked
me up and down, And i said to Kian, that bloke just gave me a dirty
look. And Kian was like really, and Mark and Kevin turned around and was
like Jodi, Thats Roberto Cavalli.
Do you really think he was give you evil looks...
I wasnt sure but when we walked past him on the way in and he took a
hold of my hand and said Oh Darling, youre beauitful, i have to make you
a dress, and I was just very silent. I didnt know what to say. So Mark
then turned around and said, see i told you looked fabulous.
Roberto Cavalli offered to make you a dress, Thats huge.
J:Mark and Kevin were really excited by the offer and i thought he was
being nice so i wasnt about to go and talk to him about it. But Kevin
was saing how he can make my wedding dress, and I certainly wasnt going
to ask that. And in the end Kevin dragged me over to him and said to
Roberto, that im getting married and he looked at Kevin and then he said
to me, This is your husband. Then i pointed at Kian and he looked over
and said, Hows it going?Are you alright. It was very funny. i didnt know
what to say to him so i ended up being really shy.
Are you going to follow it up??
Im not really sure because its Roberto Cavalli , I cant really say ,"Can
you do it like this". Because hes such a designer, It was so flattering,
i was the talk of the night between the boys. I mean come on its not
eveyrday Roberto Cavalli offers to make you a dress.
The event made millions for Elton John's charity, Did you dig deep??
A couple of times during the night, i honestly had to stop myself from
crying, Im just a softie and it was such a worthy cause. We try to help
every charity we can, Kian is a big softie as well so if we went to
charity events all the time we would be broke.
You recently auditioned for the girlband that Kian will be eventually
managing....
Ill give you the honest low down. Louis wants to put an Irish girlband
together and he has asked Kian to co-manage it. But Louis asked me to
audition and i did, I was really nervous about it as its a big deal.
With your knowledge of the industry, why not become a manager.??
Im deffintely not a manager, Im bossy but im not a manager. I dont think
i could do managing as you have to be quite tough, I can never tell
anyone theyre not good enough.
Cheryl cole is a judge on the X Factor and has to do just that??
I cant really wait to see her as a judge.
Why do you think Louis asked you to audition for the group???
Louis heard a demo of me singing a few months ago. I didnt play it to
him by the way, so i was really flattered he asked me in the first
place, cause Louis isnt one to mince his words, so i knew he wouldnt
have asked me unless he thought i could do it.
have you met Cheryl yet
I have had a couple of conversations with her, but everytime i have met
her, she has always given me a warm welcome and has been very lovely. I
think shes gorgoeus.
You auditioned in front of Kian...
Kian is going to be the co manager so he does have a say but he wont get
to choose whther im in the band or not.
Some people might think you will get the job cause youre Kians fiance..
J:I said to Kian that i didnt really want any favours. My whole life Ive
not worked on favours, and its been blood, sweat and tears and I like it
like that cause then any success i get its because of me and not my
fiance and whatever. I really do believe that.. If they want me to be
partof the project i want to get the place because i earned it , not
because of the people i know or the people im involved with.
What if you dont make the band??
Its not every day that work comes along, so i would be stupid to say no
to it. If i dont get picked thats fine, ive been to plenty of audtitions
and not been picked.
Why a band, and not go solo
Ive never gone for a solo record deal as im a girls girl and i like to
be in a group. When i was 15 years old and signed there were girls like
Billie Piper out there who looked so lonely and its a big job for
someone so young to do it on their own. I guess we see how it all turns
out.
While you were on holiday with Kian, you were papped in your bikini,
does that bother you???
Its not easy ill be honest, the hilarious things is that i thought i had
lost weight, Id been eating very healthily and then i saw those pictures
and i had big old hips on me. Apart of me was glad though, because i
never want anyone to look at me and think im perfect.
Is it annoying to be on a break and have people taking pictures of you
The only thing that bothers me about being papped is that it makes you
have to be alot more aware about what youre doing, and when im on
holiday, i dont want to have to think about that . I think some people
beat themselves up about it.
Does it affect you if you see a bad picture of yourself in the press
I dont care, we all get cellulite and have good days and bad days and im
not going to starve myself.. Who would i be doing it for. Do it for
yourself if youre being healthy for yourself and going to the gym and
want tom improve yourself but why starve. Id rather see a picture of
myself with cellulite and say who cares, than starve myself silly for
it.
Would you like to be a size zero
I love curvy women and im not just saying that because i have hips, I
think curvy women are very beautiful and you ask a man if they find a
skinny girl attractive and more often than not they will say no. Men
like curves, of course men like that, they dont want to grab onto bones.
And what about Kian's fashions tastes. What does he like??
He hates me wearing make up. He hates it when i wear mascara as he
doesnt like the look, of really made up eyes and telle me my natural
look is much nicer. When we go out please dont wear make up babe, and im
like ok. Of course i like wearing high heals and dressing up when im
going out but i look for comfort ultimately. Its not very glamours but
that is what i like........
Typed by Jo with help of my Litttle Amy...... OK Magazine xxxx
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Source: me and Amy for typing and OK Magazine |
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19th August 2008
-Tracklisting of One World One Dream, official Album for Beijing 2008 |
|
As in previous
article below,Westlife is track number on 7 on the Official Album
Beijing 2008. Below is full tracklisting
1. Light The Passion, Share The Dream (The Official Theme Song For
Beijing Olympic Torch Relay) - Various
2. Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne
3. Thats My Goal - Shayne Ward
4. Get The Party Started - Pink
5. Take You There - Sean Kingston
6. Helpless When She Smiles - Backstreet Boys
7. Us Against The World - Westlife
8. Lost In Paradise - Joanna Wang
9. Ready To Fly - Amy Pearson
10. Wishing Star - David Huang
11. Make Some Noise - Krystal Meyers
12. The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
13. Forever Friends - Sun Nan & Coco Lee
14. Give You The World - The DEY
15. Waiting For The World To Change - John Mayer
16. Dream Catch Me - Newton Faulkner
17. China World - Claire Selby
18. Stamp Your Feet - Donna Summer
19. Sky [Mandarin Version] - Tan Jing
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Source: HMV |
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19th August 2008
-Boy band honours for Take That |
Take That have been voted the greatest boy band in a poll.
The British group took the accolade after 5,000 music fans voted on the
website onepoll.com.
The group beat acts including The Beatles and Jackson Five to claim the
top spot.
A spokesperson for onepoll.com said: This has to be down to their
amazing comeback.
The Beatles - considered by many pop commentators as the original boy
band - took second place, Jackson Five came third and Irish four-piece
Westlife finished fourth.
US 60s group The Monkees, who had their own hugely popular TV show,
rounded off the top five.
Take Thats return to the spotlight began in 2006, 10 years after they
originally split.
The group Gary Barlow, Jason Orange, Mark Owen and Howard Donald had
a UK number one single with their comeback song Patience, while comeback
album Beautiful World also reached top spot in the UK charts.
The band also won a prestigious BRIT awards in 2007 for Patience, while
in 2008 they took home two more accolades - Best Live Act and Best
British Single.
The group are currently in the studio recording the follow-up to
Beautiful World.
Jason recently promised fans they wouldnt stray from their pop
background.
He said: Of course it will be a pop album - what else could we do? You
do get some bands where their egos take over and they come back with a
rockier sound but we know what we are good at and we are sticking to it."
Take Thats new album is lined up for a Christmas 2008 release.
The greatest boy bands were Take That, The Beatles, Jackson Five,
Westlife, The Monkees, Boyzone, Bee Gees, Backstreet Boys, New Kids on
the Block and The Osmonds.
BANG SHOWBIZ
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Source:thewest.com |
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19th August 2008
-Olympic mania getting stronger - |
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Taken from an article in
relation to Olmypic merchandise avaiable
Music
Get into the Olympic mood by listening to the official album for the
Beijing 2008 Olympic Games ``One World One Dream.'' Released by SonyBMG,
the album features a mix of cheerful songs and heartfelt ballads by
Westlife, Avril Lavigne, Pink, Backstreet Boys, John Mayer, as well as
Chinese singers Sun Nan, Coco Lee, David Huang and Tan Jing.
Also included in the album is ``Light the Passion, Share the Dream,''
the official song for the Beijing Olympic torch relay, and sung by the
contestants of the 2008 Miss World beauty pageant.
And if all this is too much, just grab one of those Big Mac set meals at
fast food chain McDonalds to get an Olympic glass. It might be the only
Olympic souvenir available for free.
|
|
Source:Korea times |
|
17th August 2008
-Super-rich list shrinks as slump hits home |
The total number of
Ireland's super rich -- which reached a high of 33,000 in 2006 -- may
well show a decrease when the latest 'Wealth of the Nation' report by
Bank of Ireland Private Banking is published next month. This rich elite
have the power to kickstart the stalled economy on their own. Excluding
property and focusing primarily on financial wealth, one per cent of the
population accounts for 34 per cent of the wealth.
Many made their money during the development and construction boom, but
all spheres of economic activity are represented in the millionaires'
club.
As well as a huge amount of builders who have quietly amassed large
fortunes in the last decade brick by brick are the young, gifted and
rich like actor Colin Farrell, whose fortune is now in excess of 30m,
and footballer Robbie Keane, now one of the richest footballers in
Britain following his recent move to Liverpool -- his fifth big-money
transfer.
Also represented are U2, Westlife, the Riverdance impresarios Moya
Doherty and John McColgan, pop kingmaker Louis Walsh, and other high-profile
sports stars like Roy Keane, as well as those who have been enormously
wealthy for a long time: the O'Reilly family, the Ryan family, the Quinn
family, Dermot Desmond, John Magnier and JP McManus, and latterly
businessmen Denis O'Brien and Derek Quinlan.
Last week, Philip Lynch, chief executive of One51, the investment and
advisory group, made an appeal in the Irish Times to non-resident
millionaires to come home to spend their money, and use their business
acumen to give a kiss of life to the Celtic Tiger.
"There are several highly successful Irish individuals who do not reside
in Ireland. These are individuals who have become global players in
various businesses and have succeeded at the highest levels. These are
individuals who have enormous energy, ability, contacts and vision," he
declared.
"At a time when Ireland needs to refocus on its creativity and add value,
the Government should encourage these key individuals to return to
Ireland with an innovative set of proposals including a request that
they pay a defined contribution to the Revenue Commissioners and further
increase their level of investment in Ireland in sectors of their
expertise," he said.
The Government is also targeting the super rich. As the debate raged
over the reintroduction of third-level fees, Education Minister Batt
O'Keeffe said low-income earners have nothing to fear and that there
were a large number of millionaires who could afford to send their
children to college. The last Wealth of the Nation report estimated the
number of millionaires in Ireland had increased from 30,000 to 33,000
between 2005 and 2006. Bank of Ireland Private Banking's definition of a
millionaire calculates the sum of total assets, excluding principal
private residence.
The report estimated that there are about 330 individuals with a net
worth in excess of 30m, a further 3,000 with a net worth of between 5m
and 30m, with the remaining having a net worth of between 1m and 5m
|
|
Source:Independent |
|
16th August 2008
-Bookies backing Cheryl Cole in battle of X Factor judges |
Aug 16 2008 by DailyRecord.co.uk
THE X Factor is back - and fans are already piling their money on new
judge Cheryl Cole to come out on top.
The Girls Aloud star is second favourite with the bookies to produce a
singing sensation and be manager of the winning act on the hit TV talent
show.
Cheryl, who replaced Sharon Osbourne on the judging panel, is 15-8 with
Paddy Power to triumph and follow in the footsteps of Dannii Minogue,
who last year helped Scots singer Leon Jackson lift the X Factor crown.
Simon Cowell is 7-4 to win, with Dannii at 11-4 and Louis Walsh rank
outsider at 9-2.
Girls Aloud are also the bookies' favourites to be the first guest act
to appear on the X Factor.
You can get odds of 3-1 on them, 8-1 on former winner Leona Lewis, 10-1
Take That and 12-1 Westlife.
Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power said: "With Big Brother
viewing figures plummeting, the pressure is on for X Factor to prove its
worth as the nation's favourite realty show. With sexy Cheryl on the
panel we're sure this year's series will be a huge success!"
The bookies have a variety of fun X Factor bets, including viewing
figures and nationality of the winner.
You can even get odds of 6-1 that Cheryl will slap Simon in the face and
10-1 that she'll flash her boobs during the series.
|
|
Source:Daily record |
|
16th August 2008
: McFadden reveals Westlife frustration |
McFadden reveals Westlife frustration
Saturday, August 16 2008, 10:21 BST
By Daniel Kilkelly, Entertainment Reporter
Brian McFadden realised that he wanted to quit Westlife when the group
were asked to record a cover of Barry Manilow's 'Mandy', he has revealed.
The Irish singer announced his departure just months later and started
making plans for a successful solo career.
"We never got any respect as artists because we didn't write all the
songs and we weren't a self-producing product," McFadden explained. "We
were being controlled more like puppets than anything else."
Speaking about 'Mandy', he continued: "They were formulating how to get
a No.1 record. I wanted to write my own songs and sing my own music."
McFadden's debut solo song 'Real To Me' topped the UK singles chart in
2004. However, his album Irish Son and future single releases suffered
as a result of the backlash surrounding his marriage split with Kerry
Katona.
"That has shaped my career," he admitted. "Hero to villain literally in
one weekend."
Brian has released his second album Set In Stone in Australia, where it
has been a top five hit. The LP will hit shops in the UK next year.
|
|
Source:digital spy |
|
15th August 2008
: IRMA music positions for Westlife albums Unbreakable and Back Home |
This week in the Irish music charts, The following
Westlife albums are at the below positions
Unbreakable :The greatest Hits volume 1
LW - 50 TW- 59
Back Home
LW - 52 TW : 48
|
|
Source:IRMA/Gloria |
|
15th August 2008
: Louis talks XFactor and mentions managing Westlife.. |
There
is an article with Louis Walsh talking about the
new XFactor show which starts this saturday on
ITV1, and he mentions Westlife so i have posted
the relevant part below. However you can read
the full article in our XFactor topic on our
forum by clicking
HERE
""Louis
was their manager, but the girls later
complained that he did not do anything for them
while still claiming a percentage of their
earnings. He, meanwhile, criticised them for
being too skinny and forecast their demise.
But Louis says that any problems they had are
firmly in the past. I think I probably did
neglect Girls Aloud a little, he says. But I
live in Dublin and I found the girls very
different to managing Westlife.
Im better with boys with girls they want
hair, make-up, styling and clothes. That is so
much part of their job and I couldnt be
bothered. I hired someone else to manage them
and they were paid the management fee.""
|
|
Source:Daily Mail |
|
14th August 2008
: Variety is back (mentions Westlife performing possibly in new show) |
TV'S NEW OLD-STYLE SHOW
Variety
entertainment is making a comeback - with the
launch of a new Saturday night ITV show.
The hour-long
prime-time programme, For One Night Only, will
feature comedians, musi cians and speciality
acts from around the world.
Bosses
hope a return to the traditional format, which
once drew audiences of up to 15 million, will
prove a massive ratings winner.
A
spokesman said: "It will be an exciting, glitzy
show with quality acts and real talent." The
series will be slotted in at 7pm or 8pm as part
of the autumn season.
It aims
to tap into the success of Britain's Got Talent,
which regularly pulls in over 10 million.
A source
said: "It will be like a weekly version of the
Royal Variety performance." Westlife, Take That
and Shirley Bassey have all been pencilled in.
Vernon
Kay is being lined up as one of the show's co-hosts,
who will take part each week in a glittering
grand finale
The show
will follow a long line of Bruce Forsyth-style
variety classics such as Sunday Night at the
London Palladium in the 50s and 60s and Live
from the Palladium in the late 80s as well as
New Faces in the 70s and 80s. Other highlights
in the new ITV schedule include a one-off comedy,
We Are Not Amused.
It will
bring together star performers from the past 60
years to mark Prince Charles' 60th birthday and
raise funds for his charity trust. Female
singers will compete in Divas 2, while I'm a
Celebrity, Harry Hill's TV Burp and Al Murray's
Pub Landlord are all set to return.
Newcomers include musical drama Britannia High,
following the fortunes of six students at a
performing arts school.
And
Sound of Music star Connie Fisher will appear in
her first TV drama, Caught in a Trap.
Itv has
highlighted sport as a big draw after winning
the rights to the FA Cup and England
internationals.
Celebrity sporting event Soccer Aid returns with
an England versus the Rest of the World match,
fronted by Ant and Dec at Wembley stadium.
The
station's new director of programmes Peter
Fincham promised: "It will be an exciting
line-up of talent, top football fixtures,
factual programming and a proven mix of big
entertainment and quality drama."
|
|
Source:The mirror |
|
13th August 2008
:Westlife star enjoys family day out at Bonniconlon Show |
AS THE crowds packed into the Bonniconlon showgrounds for
one of their biggest shows yet, little did many of them realise that a
celebrity was walking amongst them.
Sligo native, Shane Filan, known around the globe for his position as
Westlifes lead singer, returned to his hometown for the August bank
holiday weekend, and during his stay took a trip to the show. He also
entered some of his familys horses in the various classes.
It was a real trip down memory lane for the pop star, who spent every
summer preparing horses for the showjumping competition in Bonniconlon
up until he was 16 years of age. Shane also competed in the show on many
occasions.
The singing sensation took his wife, Gillian and their daughter Nicole
along with him and they even took away third prize for a foal which they
had entered in the best foal class.
With the sun beating down and plenty of amusement to keep Nicole busy,
the family thorough-ly enjoyed their day out in County Mayo and were
more than delighted to pose for photographer John OGrady when he took
their picture for the Western People.
|
|
Source:Western People |
|
11th August 2008
:Times flying without wings |
|
Westlife's Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina stepped out
on Saturday night to celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary
Nicky who has had a hit with Flying Without Wings, and Georgina(29)both
partied with friends in Krystle nightclub in Dublin, with their one year
old twins, Rocco and Jay being looked after at their home.
An onlooker said, "They looked to be having a great time last night.
Its clear theyre still very much in love with each other. They
make a great couple.
 |
|
Source:Mary for wfvip |
|
11th August 2008
:Nicky's west 5 years. |
|
Loved up couple Westlife hunk Nicky Byrne and his
gorgeous wife, Georgina stepped out in Sparkling style for their fifth
anniversary.
The childhood sweethearts went to Krystle nightclub on Dublin's
Harcourt Street, on Saturday night.
Nicky,29,became smitten, with ex_Taoiseach Bertie's Aherne daughter
Georgina(28)when he was just 15 years old.
He revealed " I met Georgina at school, I went home and told my mum i
met the girl i was going to marry. I always knew she was the one." |
|
Source:Lucy
|
|
11th August 2008
:Heres to married life . |
|
Westlifer Nicky Byrne took his beautiful wife Georgina
out to the capitals exclusive club Krystle nightclub at the weekend to
celerbate 5 years of marriage.
The pair wed in France on 5th August 2003, surrounded
by family, including then Taoiseach dad Bertie Aherne.
And five years on its Krytle clear, the childhood sweethearts still
have a love that is unbreakable. |
|
Source:Lucy
|
|
10th August 2008
:Pictures of Nicky and Georgina celebrating their 5th wedding
anniversary |
|
"Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina Ahern celebrate their
5th wedding anniversary at Krystle nightclub in Harcourt Street Nicky
married his childhood sweetheart Georgina Ahern-daughter of the former
Irish Prime Minister , on 5 August 2003 at the Wicklow Registry Office,
Wicklow,Ireland. The civil ceremony was followed on Saturday August 9
2003 by a church blessing at the Roman Catholic Church of St Pierre et
St Paul in Gallardon, Eure-et-Loir, France and a reception at the nearby
16th century Chteau d'Esclimont. Dublin, Ireland - 09.08.08"
 |
|
Source:Pia from committed |
|
8th August 2008
:IRMA music positions for Westlife albums Unbreakable and Back Home |
This week in the Irish music charts, The following
Westlife albums are at the below positions
Unbreakable :The greatest Hits volume 1
LW - 45 TW- 50
Back Home
LW - 44 TW : 52
|
|
Source:IRMA/Gloria |
|
7th August 2008
:Jodi pops by |
When the gorgeous Jodi Albert bounced into the audition
hall in Dublin this week to chance her luck at landing a place in a
brand new all dancing and singing girl band, we bet her fellow wannabees
hearts sank into their feet.
Why?? Because the band in question is managed by not only Jodi's old
mate Louis Walsh, but also her fiance Kian Egan. Nepatism anyone!!
But lovely Jodi says the audition is fair and she isnt guaranteed a role
in the band just because she kisses one of the men with a deciding vote.
Of course Jodi isnt a newcomer to girl bands. Having started out in
Simon Cowells short lived answer to the Spice Girls-Girl Thing. You may
remember them, They had a small hit with "Last One Standing"and a less
sucessful follow up with Girls on Top. If you lived in Asia on the other
hand, you's know them very well, as they released an album over there
which featured the original version of Hearsay's Pure and Simple.
Looking back at her brief time as a Popstar, Jodi told OK!, It was a
great experience, but the girls in the band couldnt get on. For me i
loved it. I got on with everyone and it was a cool job.
I got taken out of school and travelled all over the world. Im glad it
eneded was when i was 17 years old because i got to do other things too.
We were very manufactured. We were told what to wear, what to say. I
couldnt have lived like that for along time but the experience helped me
grow up quickly. I saw the true colours of people.
So fingers crossed for Jodi to see if she makes the cut of the final
band Note to Kian, go on and make her day.
|
|
Source:OK Maagzine./me for typing |
|
6th August 2008
:Vote for your WFVIP Sexiest Man 2008 |
Thank you to everyone who nominated men for the WFVIP Sexiest Man 2008
vote and just to say voting has now started... Out of the list the top
12 will go through to a later vote which will then be whittled down to
the winner. Last years winner was Nicky Byrne, so if you want to see him
or any other man nominated then please vote .
You can vote by clicking
here
and casting your 12 votes ..
Good luck to all the men nominated
.........
|
|
Source:WFVIP forum |
|
6th August 2008 -Let's
go round again |
Louis plans next set of girl band auditions
POP guru Louis Walsh will be holding another audition for his girl band
in a bid to finalise the line-up.
Its expected Louis, along with Westlifes Kian Egan who will be co-managing
the band, will hold the audition in the coming weeks in a bid to
determine who the lucky five girls will be.
More than 1,300 girls flocked to the Tripod on Harcourt Street to sing
in front of Louis and Kian. This number was whittled down to 108 who
came back for a second audition.
The two men are now working on bringing this number down further to 30.
This figure will be whittled down again at a third audition.
However, both men were overwhelmed by the talent Irish girls had to
offer.
Louis said that in all the years of him doing auditions, he has never
seen talent like it, Joanne Byrne of Presence PR told Joe Duffy on
Liveline yesterday.
Louiss plans for Irelands answer to the Sugababes were announced
earlier this summer when the pop impressario announced his attentions to
scour the country looking for talent.
Ireland has so much talent and I'm looking for girls who are really
hungry for stardom and are prepared to work hard for it, the X Factor
judge said at the start of July.
They don't have to have professional training and a stage school
background and all that. As long as they can sing and look good on
camera, that's the most important thing.
|
|
Source:Herald |
|
4th August 2008 -Back
Home and Unbreakable album Irish Music chart positions w/e 1/8/08 |
IRMA ALBUM CHART 1/8/2008
BACK HOME album
LW - 46
TW - 45
UNBREAKABLE THE GREATEST HITS VOL.1
LW - 31
TW - 45
LW=Last Week. TW=This Week
|
|
SourceGloria/IRMA |
|
2nd August 2008 -
Walsh and Rock in
girlband spat
|
A spat has developed between pop guru Louis Walsh and legendary showband
singer Dickie Rock over the chances of Walsh's latest girlband effort.
Walsh has accused Rock of being no more than a publicity seeker after he
said that attempts to unleash a new brand of girl power would be
pointless.
The row erupted when Rock dismissed the band as being on "a hiding to
nothing".
But Louis has hit back saying: "What the f*** would Dickie Rock know?
He's never had a hit outside Ireland. What is he talking about?"
Walsh, who was the background man for Girls Aloud, has teamed up with
Westlife's Kian Egan to manage the new group.
The pair auditioned 1,500 hopefuls in Dublin over the past week and have
already whittled that down to less than 50.
Rock had claimed that the Spice Girls were the one exception to the rule
when they made the big time.
And he accused Walsh of attempting to take young girls to the top so
that they could be "knocked down" again.
However, a fuming Walsh ranted: "He says the only successful girlband
was the Spice Girls. Has he never heard of Girls Aloud? Pussy Cat Dolls,
Sugababes, The Bangles, The Go Gos, The Supremes?
"Does he know that three out of the four Corrs were girls?"
The new band will be a five-piece that is expected to include Kian
Egan's fiancee Jodi Albert and top model Michele McGrath.
"Dickie shouldn't talk about something he knows nothing about," said
Walsh. "I presume he was looking for publicity for some show or
something."
- Kevin Doyle
|
|
Source:Herald.ie |
|
1st August 2008 -
Casting Starts for New Irish Girl Band
|
|
LOUIS Walsh is at it again. No, he hasn't stormed off The X- Factor or
had another falling out with Simon Cowell.
Walsh, who has puppet-mastered the careers of Boyzone, Westlife and
Girls Aloud, held auditions at Dublin's Pod complex last weekend for his
latest project: an Irish girl group, who are presumably to vie for the
same audience as Girls Aloud (most music industry figures would hesitate
to go into competition with themselves, but Walsh evidently believes you
can't have too much product out there).
To help out, he brought along a protege: Westlife's Kian Egan (a move
with echoes of the time he co-opted Ronan Keating to joint- manage the
then-fledgling Westlife).
Rumour suggests two of the line-up have already been settled upon -
according to web gossip, Egan's fiancee Jodi Albert and Dublin model
Michele McGrath will front the group, tentatively christened Lady
Rochelle.
However, Walsh and Egan insist the project is still at casting stage and
that everyone who wants a place in the band is expected to turn up and
demonstrate their pop chops.
Said the latter: "I am really hoping we are going to see and hear some
great talent from all parts of the country. I know how much an audition
like this can change your life - so my advice is to go for it."
At first glance, you might query the wisdom of Walsh's strategy. After
all, isn't the pop industry - like the rest of the music business - in
free-fall? Well, yes and no. Without question, cash- till revenues are
drying up - for an entire generation of teenagers, whose patronage is
the making or breaking of a pop act, music is something you swap over
the internet, rather than, heaven forbid, purchase in a store.
But the live scene has never been healthier - and, because they often
don't write their own songs, it is through ticket revenues that groups
such as Boyzone and Westlife earn their largest chunk of cash.
Also, haven't you heard? Boybands are in steep decline. Last month, the
latest entry into the genre, Billiam, limped into the lower reaches of
the UK Top 20 (and failed to dent the Irish charts altogether). This at
a time when any bunch of skinny young rockers with the right haircuts
and an Austin Powers-esque Lan-dahn accent can expect to score big in
Britain (and hence, with wearying predictability, Ireland too).
In 2008, Take That, Westlife and Boyzone truly are the last boybands
standing - and their continued success speaks as much of the cold grip
of nostalgia as of tastes of the modern adolescent.
Girl groups would appear to be thriving. Sugababes are adored by
critics. In the UK, you'll routinely hear Girls Aloud feted as the pop
act of the decade. A new 'British' girl group called The Saturdays (the
line-up includes Tipperary singer Una Healy) have just stepped up to the
podium with the debut single, If This Is Love. Louis, being Louis, knows
a bull market when he sees one.
Girl groups command critical kudos in a way no bunch of high- stepping
pretty boys ever could - and you can bet that Walsh, with one eye on his
legacy, is perfectly aware of this.
|
|
Source:redorbit |
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