
Westlife star Bryan McFadden has confirmed he is leaving the band to spend more time with his family.
The 24-year-old singer told a packed press conference in Dublin that the other members of the band were his four best friends and his departure was nothing to do with them. "I just feel it's the right time to concentrate on my family and being at home as much as I can," he added.
Although the band said they were "devastated" by the news of Bryan's departure, they called it an amicable split and urged fans to support them now more than ever. Bryan's wife Kerry McFadden and bandmate Nicky Byrne's wife Georgina, Irish premier Bertie Ahern's daughter, stood together as Bryan announced his departure.
Since emerging into the pop world five years ago, the band have had a record-breaking 12 number one singles and sold 30 million records. [Ananova]
If your British, Irish, or into British pop music this will mean something to you. Otherwise, It's the equivalent of say Nick Carter quitting the Backstreet Boys.
In other words - totally replaceable.
Currently playing in iTunes: The Space Between from the album When it falls by Zero 7
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Article comments
1 - navyatha
will bryan again join westlifr
2 - tolu
hello,my advise 4 d westlife(especially bryan)is that he suppose not to leave the westlife alone, cause they would be reducing in population and i think he can still be with his family and at d same time be with the westlife (if he is serious and determined)cause if he is determined to leave the westlife,they can do without him . For d progress of thier songs ithink he should not plan to go.the westlife are nice and i like all their songs so keep it up!!!.
3 - Frederick
I like westlife but, for a long time, I did n't have more information about Bryan's departure!Some persons in my country (Rwanda)used to say that died but now I know the truth!Really, I say Sorry to the rest of the band and nothing can stop me listen to your music!I finish my message begging Bryan to come back because we love him so much!
4 - khadija
have nicky ever drem of someone he love most asked him for me will he continous to live with the wife i wont to know
5 - marvin
i think it is not reason why brian quiting westlife .... why shane did not leaving westlife??... hmmm i hope bryne will be back in westlife band .....
brian is one important member in band ...
i hope in 2010 westlife back i hope that brian will be back ...
-Love Marvin ..
-Luv you westlife
6 - kilian
it hurts so bad to see an honorable member of the band like Brian leaving.i do hope that brian comes back to the band to make the memories of their past a reality. he has been a wonderful participant in the group and leaving westlife is like leaving a dream you've built for years to collapse within the blinking of an eye. we love him and the rest of the band and hope he comes back latest 2010.
westlife has been a source of inspiration to me and source of comfort if i want to be frank, i must say westlife gives me the joy i deserve to live.
in Cameroon the sound of westlife is like God coming back to earth. they are such a great group and i wish them a long and everlasting life in prosperity and creativity.
7 - Christopher Rose
Westlife are dull beyond belief, managing only to make Take That look as interesting as ditch water.
And they are not a band; bands play instruments and I'm sick of vocal groups trying to make themselves seem more talented by claiming to be in bands!
8 - gretchin
oh.. westlife since i was young i reallly love u... especially brian.... it so hurt to know that brian was quit in westlife.... brian this message is for u... i hope this coming new year you will be back to westlife ... Just pray to God.... because he only the one who knows everything.. the future..brian think about it.. many people love u specially me... when im watching ur concert im so happy when i see u singing with ur band...westlife ur songs are very sensetive,,, it can touch the heart of someone... until now i really idolize u guys!!!! and many people luv u... how much if u , brian will back ...Godblesss....
9 - dally
Westlife is the best band ever in the whole world...i just wish that on 2010 brian will surprised his fans that his going to come back on westlife band...plz brian i begging you to come back 'çoz your one of the best member of the band..plz.
10 - dally
westlife I'm your #1 fan here in the Philippines i hope someday I'm going to meet you in person...i love you westlife
11 - MARIA O
Westlife your music inspires me so much ilove it.ipray you be together again coz you sing well and your voices are so cool.even if brian does not come back just continue we your fans are always there to listen to your music.ilike your hits more than any other music.love u mob
12 - Lawrence Sam Towah
Now i know what going on in the band, some said one died.it hurt me to here this sad story about brian. no matter Westlife you gus are still #1
13 - Mcjohn
Its a good thing if bryan wants to spend more time with his family,because he wont be in the band forever.i luv u westlife
14 - esther
pls i want bryan 2 com back to westlife. His fans is rily missin him. Pls u can stil spend time wit ur family...so dont b discouraged....sobs!
15 - Abasjack
Bryan,ur departure from westlife makes me miserable, each time i recall
16 - urah
Oh it hot so bad when i got d news, that Brian died but i continue 2 imagine what could kil such Godgifted man. I'm happy he did not die, Brian pls wherever u are think of coming back 2 d band. I also beg kian Egan and other members 2 pls retain him if he wish 2 come back. I lov u all bcos since i sarted hearing ur music i feel a'm on top of d world. Pls do not think of any further spliting 4 d sake of ur fans, happy christmas and a prosperous new yeas.
17 - Damsel
Brian pls do everything in ur power 2 rejoin westlife,i really love ur voice.i was so happy when i discovered dat brian didn't die but quit .shane,kian,nicky& mark should pls accept brian back & start doing like old times.i love u guys.
18 - Zacarias Lute Jeque
Hi
I really felt hurt when I heard that Bryan left the band , stating that he leaving due to the family reasons , all I have to say is that I respect his decision, I'm fully aware that it was not easy to decide ,so westlife band is his family and will always be his family to the end of time.I wish you all the best.
19 - Zacarias Lute Jeque
As Bryan has left the band I would like the band to go on with more Projects and to surprise the world,I know that good things does not last long, but I must dare say that go on and Transmit what you deserve further.
Angola,Luanda
20 - J-rAm,6
Why did kian rejected in brian's dceci0n 2 be back in band,since u have strted y0ur band with a member of 5,shan,kian,mark,nicky,and brian,.so please bring back again the mem0ries that u have wth brian ''until the end of time'',.did u ever thnk that evrytme we seE u in c0ncert,the frst thng that we ask is,'0hhw,wher's brian?,.the band is n0t c0mplete.
BuT i l0ve y0ur s0ngs,it is so very inspirng,it t0uches the heart of a pers0n when he/she is lstng to the s0ngs of westlife ,and dErs n0 oNe wilL do rather than westlifE,.
21 - murilloneil
I want that bryan back in the band,I want that westlife is complete.
22 - Sophia
Love u brian