Shane, you’re enjoying tremendous success at present and obviously earning a lot of money. Do you intend splashing out on amazing presents for people at Christmas?
That’s always a tricky one. Like the rest of the lads it is something we’ve all thought about. If you spend a lot on a gift you can be accused of being flash with your money and if you don’t? I’ll buy some nice presents but really most of the money goes into the bank for that rainy day.

Have you treated yourself to anything special?
Again, with the exception of Mark we’ve all bought cars. I got a BMW but it is in a garage most of the time. The last thing you want to do when you get home is to get behind the wheel of the car. We spend so much time in cars as we travel all over the world.

How do you relax when you get a break from touring?
I go home to Sligo as often as I can and to chill out I go horse riding. My family has a lot of horses and actually bought me on for my birthday. Horse riding is my main life outside of music. It always was. We have a lot of land so I can climb up on a horse and gallop all over the place. You can really let your hair down.

You’re doing a lot of promotional work at present all over the world. Do you enjoy that?
It is an amazing way of seeing the world. Of course it’s hard. Anyone who travels a lot will tell you that, but it’s exciting, visiting different countries and meeting fans in America, Korea, Australia and Europe where we sell a lot of records.

How are you preparing for your forthcoming tour in which people will be seeing you live for the first time?
So far we’ve had no time to rehearse but that will change after Christmas when we go into rehearsals for some five weeks. We’re doing 11 nights at the Point, which is a record, and one that we’re very proud of. We thought we’d get maybe three nights, so it was quite a shock when we learned that we had sold out so many concerts. The same thing applied in Britain. When the tour was suggested we thought it might run for about 20 dates. You can imagine our surprise and shock when we were told we had filled 63 dates. We haven’t done a live tour before, so it will be very exciting for us.

Some people have said that your concert will be boring, as all you’ll be singing are ballads.
Yes, a lot of people are expecting that but they’d be wrong. There will be quite a few up-tempo numbers in our act. A lot of money is being spent on the set and we don’t want anyone to be bored at the show. The audience will want to be lifted and have a great time. We know that and intend to make it a night they’ll remember.

Are you still surprised at the amount of success you’ve achieved?
We’re all knocked out by it. It is absolutely brilliant to see all your dreams come true so quickly. It really is the best life in the world but we’re still shocked at how quickly it happened.

Your manager, Louis Walsh, said from the very beginning that you were going to be bigger than Boyzone. Did you believe him?
I wouldn’t say we were bigger than Boyzone but certainly we’ve done very well for ourselves. Maybe we got more success than we actually deserve but I think we were in the right place at the right time.

You’re in competition with bands like the Spice Girls and recently you beat them to the number one spot in the album charts. Did you enjoy that?
Yes, it’s brilliant. It helps for great sales in England, which is a great market for us. To go up against the likes of the Spice Girls after only 18 months in the business gives a great feeling. They’re superstars in their right. They’ve done some great things so it’s amazing for us to be up there with them. I think the Backstreet Boys on a world scale are the biggest boy band but it has taken them eight years to achieve it so they’ve earned their success and worked hard for it. That’s what we have to do now in the next couple of years, to get America on board and sell a few million albums out there. All we can do them is get bigger and bigger and that’s exactly what we want to do, get bigger and bigger.

After seven number one hits in a row in the UK how much bigger can you get?
We’re now looking for number eight. You can always get bigger just as you can get smaller very quickly. You’re as good as your last hit or your last concert. Truthfully, we never think our success very much. It can go to your head very quickly. From day one Louis Walsh taught us that when in Ireland just think of our Irish success, in England the same and so on around the world. It’s much easier to take in rather than thinking of worldwide success.

You have enjoyed a lot of record sales all over the world. Do you know how many you’ve sold?
I think it’s about 8 million albums worldwide so far and about 3.5 million singles. Singles are very important to us in the UK. In the first week of a single release we would expect to sell around 120,000 copies in Britain. We’re very proud of that and we like putting Ireland on the map.

What do you mean?
Well, to follow on the success of Boyzone and, of courses U2. We’ll never beat the like of U2, who are legends. You can’t compete with a band like that. We’re just trying to add to something they’ve started off. But if we’re going in 20 years, who knows?

Do you think you’ll still be around then?
Who knows? We honestly don’t know how it will go. If you get success like we have then you have to work harder to hold on to it. If you sit back it will all fall apart.

What about in five years time?
You think ahead but you don’t know what it’s going to be like in five years time. I hope we’ll be together. No, we will be together. We’re planning to do at least five albums together and we’ve only done two. As a band we’d like to be still together and be very successful. Hopefully, we’ll be big in America by then. If we’re not then we’ll give up trying but I do think we’ll make it in the States.

You all seem to get on well together.
We’re a tight band, genuinely close. If you’re fighting all the time then there’s no point in being in a band. From day one we set out certain rules and we’ve stuck by them. If there are any disagreements then it’s decided by a majority vote and it really works. When we disagree over something it’s a case of who voted for this? Then it’s hands up and that’s it, over in two seconds. However, if someone is really unhappy about something then we listen seriously to what he has to say and probably don’t do it. But on things we’re not sure about it simply goes to a vote.

You’re also together a lot?
A lot is an understatement. We’re together 24/7 apart from sleep. Just think about it. When I wake up the rest of the lads are the first people I see and the last people I see at night. We live in each other’s pockets and living in hotels a lot doesn’t help. Yes, it’s a hard life, but a very good life.

"OK!" visited the talented lead singer of Irish pop sensations Westlife at the beautiful Clontarf Castle in Dublin.

OK! : Shane, you celebrated your 21st birthday recently with a huge party at Dublin's famous Lillies Bordello club. How was it?
It was a great night. Everyone looked so happy and that was the main thing I wanted. Everybody I invited came too, so it was great to be surrounded by my family and friends. Lillies is a great venue. it has had loads of renovations and I've never seen it looking so great - it's a beautiful club.

OK! : What did you do on your actual birthday?
We opened the Harrods summer sale in London during the day and then we came home in the evening. I had dinner with my family and then I went out with my friends at night time. Let's just say I had a typical 21st - I had a pretty late night and paid the price for it the next day! It was a brilliant birthday.

OK! : All of your family were with you at your celebration in Dublin. Was it important for you to be surrounded by them?
Definately. My family are the most important thing in the world to me, I've always said that. They've looked after me all my life and, as the youngest of seven, I've grown up surrounded by people who love me for who I am, not what I do.

OK! : So what presents did you get?
My mum and dad got me a horse and it was a complete surprise! I didn't know what they were getting me because they kept saying, "We don't know what to get you, it's hard now that you're in a big pop band". I really wanted a horse, but I had a feeling that they wouldn't get me one. We have a horse already, but it's getting old, so when they gave it to me I couldn't believe it. It's an amazing looking horse, beautiful.

OK! : What have you called him?
We're thinking of Carlton Clover, as my family own a restaurant called Carlton's and we fancied naming the horse after it. We used to own a horse called Nalif, whic is Filan spelt backwards.

OK! : The last year was incredibly successful - five number ones and record of the year. Did you have any idea Westlife would be so huge?
I don't think any of us expected the success we have. We've broken the UK now and hopefully we can go further afield with the same success. America is our next big challenge. A lot of bands have done well in the UK, but not in the States, it just wasn't the right time. But now, especially with the Backstreet Boys, there's a chance. The Spice Girls did it because it proved it was a perfect time for them and we're hoping it's a perfect time for us.

OK! : Looking back over the past year, what do you feel have been the highest points?
Winning Record Of The Year was the biggest moment. I remember when the 28,000 votes came in, I jumped up and ripped my shirt open. I looked down and thought, what have I done? But I was just so happy. It was a funny night, emotional, but funny.

OK! : You're only 21, but you're experiencing things that even people twice your age would have trouble dealing with. How do you cope?
Well, after a while, you realise you need your space. It's not healthy, you need to get some private space. I love horse riding, it's a great way to relax. Just going home is great. My family own a cafe, which I've lived over all my life and it's in the dead centre of the city in Sligo. It's nice to do normal things with them.

OK! : What can your fans look forward to?
We'll be releasing three more singles here in the UK, one with Mariah Carey in August, another one in October and then a Christmas single. We're all excited about the Mariah single - Mark's a huge fan of her's, so getting to work with her in the flesh was great for him.

Pop rivals Westlife and Backstreet Boys have been partying in Stockholm's most exclusive VIP night clubs running up a whopping £30,000 bar bill. The millionaire heartthrobs ran up the huge bill after a champagne-fuelled night on the town together.

Westlife were in the Swedish capital to record songs for their new album while American superstars the Backstreet Boys flew in to film a TV show. The pop powers are worth a combined total of £70 million partied the night away in the exclusive Bondai Cafe and Bar Opera.

They were followed by a huge entourage of minders and close friends who enjoyed the champagne treatment in the exclusive VIP lounges. Limousines whisked them between the top clubs and they finally returned to their luxury hotels at 2am.

Last night Westlife star Nicky Byrne told the Irish Mirror: "It was a great night for us, we went to all the top clubs and really let out hair down. As soon as we realised that the Backstreet Boys were in town we got in touch and headed out with them. There was a big bar bill at the end of the night - but it was the last chance to really chill out before the serious work begins. We headed out in a couple of limousines and the champagne was flowing early on. People may think that Westlife and the Backstreet Boys hate each other but it simply isn't true. By the time we hit the first bar there were a lot of fans gathering outside. We had to increase the security to make sure it didn't get out of hand."

The Sligo and Dublin boys were granted permission by record company bosses for a last night on the town before their two month recording schedule begins.

The following day the two groups were handed the huge bar bill to split between them. "We didn't mind the big cost of the night because it was a celebration for everyone to join in," Kian Egan said. "We've had a great year and had five number one hits. It was the first time that we'd been out with the lads from the Backstreet Boys and they had a lot to celebrate too. The party is over for us now though. We're going to be in Sweden for two months then it's off to America for more promotions. Our world tour starts at the beginning of 2001 so we're not anticipating even being back home for a long time yet."

Westlife are hoping to get the Pope dancing when they sing for him later in December.

The Irish heart-throbs have been invited to give a private performance to Pope John Paul II at the Vatican.

The boys said performing for him would be the "ultimate honour".

'Our parents are so proud'

Staff at the Vatican, where the Pope lives, invited Westlife to sing for him when the Pope admitted he was a fan of the boyband.

Nicky from Westlife told Smash Hits: "We are incredibly honoured to be performing in front of the Pope. Our parents are so proud.

'Don't know the words'

"For an Irish band this really is the ultimate honour because it's a holy country. We're going to sing Queen of My Heart and Little Drummer Boy because that's what the Vatican wanted - the only problem is that I don't know the words."

Kian added: "We hope our music will get him on to his feet dancing. That would be funny."

Irish boy band Westlife made pop history today by becoming the first group in the UK to see their first five singles enter the charts at number one. As Fool Again hit the top of the charts, the quintet earned record-breaking status and an entry in the Guinness Book of Records.

The band, currently in New York promoting their debut single Swear It Again, were planning to celebrate the news by cracking open a bottle of champagne. Band member Kian Egan is reported to have said the band's latest chart success is a dream come true.

The battle for the top slot was very close fought with Westlife losing their midweek lead over current number one Mel C by Friday - but Saturday sales figures tipped the balance and the band came out on top by a narrow margin of around 1,400 singles. Westlife's track was the fifth single on their album, so many fans already had a copy and the band struggled to keep strong sales up through the week.

Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, who is co-manager of Westlife, has helped the group achieve success far more quickly than his own Irish boy band. Although Boyzone has so far attained six number one singles, these were spread over a longer period of six years. Boyzone's 1994 debut single Love Me For A Reason only went to number two and it was not until 1996 that the band achieved their first number one with Words.

Last year fellow Irish stars B Witched set a new record by becoming the first group to have each of their first four singles go straight to number one. Their chart-topping success has since tailed off with the releases from their second album. While, the Spice Girls made number one with their first five singles, but they did not all enter the charts at the top. First single Wannabe made it to number two in its first week, climbing a place a week later.

After their four-week tour in New York, Westlife will perform further concerts across Asia and another six-week stint in the US.  


 

- a bit of background info that might be unknown for some of you

The official response to the cover song "Against all odds (take a look at me now)" had been positive, and in September 2000 it was released as a single in the UK and some other countries. The solo version was already a couple of months earlier in a few countries, but this time Mariah had a more progressive idea. She was a fan of the up-and-coming Irish pop group Westlife and felt redoing the tune with them would give the song a real commercial edge.

The group was thrilled with the opportunity, and a rehearsal session was set up in a studio in Ireland. On the surface, the session went quite smoothly and everybody was happy with the song and the resultant video. With the help of an engineer, Mariah produced the session herself. The members of Westlife recalled that they had a huge case of nerves on the day they arrived to record the song, so much so that the band decided to have a drink to settle themselves before the session, and they adjourned to the hotel bar. On the day in question, the members of Westlife were sitting in the bar downing drinks when who should walk in but Mariah herself. The singer promptly joined the group, and according to Westlife Bryan McFadden, "We had a few drinks and everybody relaxed. Mariah even got a bit tipsy."

But the good-time nature of the session changed according to a Mariah Carey interview with MTV Asia not long after the session was completed. "The whole thing wasn't a drama or anything, but even though they're just starting out, they can get a little egotistical." Westlife shot back with charges that the "Against all odds" video shoot was the worst experience the band had ever had. The resulting video had to be reedited when it was discovered that band member Bryan McFadden was paying a bit too much attention to Mariah's cleavage. Mariah was disappointed at the back-biting in the aftermath of the session but insisted that the resulting song was great and would most certainly be a hit. And Mariah was right, "Against all odds" entered the UK chart at number 1.

Simon Cowell remembers when the tape was sent to him. "I played it and I was absolutely horrifed. It was terrible. I phoned her record company in London to tell them that I wasn't putting the record out. They fought, but I held my ground. Finally, they asked whether I would tell Mariah myself, and I said that I would be happy to. That's why I had to fly to Canada to meet her and, in the midst of her 'yes' brigade, tell her that I thought the production was horrendous and needed to be changed before the record could be released. When I said as much, there was a deadly silence; it was as if I had spit on the Queen in court. But I couldn't care less. I just wanted a hit. In the end, we did change the record, and it went to number one."