Take That Gary! The X Factor will suffer without Simon, says Westlife star Nicky

By Melanie Finn, Showbusiness Editor

Saturday August 20 2011

Westlife's Nicky Byrne has said he doesn't believe The X Factor will be as good without acid-tongued judge Simon Cowell.

And the Herald can reveal how the band's usual slot on the hit show now hangs in the balance since they left the music mogul's record label, SyCo.

The chart-topping singer explained how he believed the whole dynamic of the ITV programme will have changed as a result of Simon switching to X Factor USA.

"I hear Gary Barlow is good but I can't see it being as good without Simon, if I'm honest, because he and Louis had that banter, that chemistry. I know Louis likes Gary and they get on but I'm not sure if the same chemistry could be had, with anyone," he said.

Cog

"It doesn't matter who you put in that seat, it's not Simon Cowell. It's nothing against Gary but it's going to be different. And then you've not got Cheryl or Dannii either, so it's not like, you're not just missing one major cog in the wheel it's like 'wow, the whole thing has changed'. But it could be 50 times better, who knows?"

The Irish boyband has made countless key appearances on the talent contest, now in its eighth series, which has helped them launch their latest albums to TV audiences of millions.

But Nicky explained how the group are no longer assured a key slot on the programme now that they have switched labels to RCA. "I will certainly watch the show but I don't know if we'll be on it. We would all love to, of course and with Louis there thankfully we have an 'in' on it," he continued.

"But they have had us on a lot over the years and you have to remember, SyCo is the company that makes the show so hopefully it wouldn't be like that. But you never know, we might not get the show and if we don't, we'll just have to pick ourselves up and move on."

The popular singer has also done little to allay speculation that RTE is head-hunting him to co-present new programme The Voice of Ireland. But he said that it's all to do with timing and his first loyalties will always lie with Westlife as the four lads gear up to embark on a short tour next month of South Africa and South East Asia.

"I'm not going to lie -- broadcasting is something I do enjoy," he continued. "Nobody has offered me the job or anything like that but it's always nice to be mentioned in a big TV show like that. I don't know if I have the timing for something like this."

Request

Once their next tour is complete, Westlife will be taking to the stage at the O2 Dublin on November 24 to play 'O2 SmartSounds'. A live social-media gig, it will see attendees being able to request the songs they'd like to hear on the night. "We're really looking forward to that. It's a great concept and there's also going to be a battle of the bands on the night," Nicky added.

Herald readers will have the opportunity to win tickets to this exclusive event, with more details revealed over the coming weeks

mfinn@herald.ie

- Melanie Finn, Showbusiness Editor

Pictures: Nicky at O2 smartsounds launch

Nicky Byrne says Westlife are on hiatus

Dubliner Nicky Byrne has revealed that the band is currently out of contract and looking forward to their future.

The Irish crooners, who parted ways with Simon Cowell's record company earlier this year, moved to RCA after they clashed creatively with Cowell.

Speaking to The Star, Byrne said that there is not a new Westlife album in the works right now.

"Right now no." he said. "Right now we are just looking forward to the Greatest Hits.

"We are out of contract at the moment which is a great position to be in because if this album does well we're looking to the future, like a footballer you are free to talk to anybody.

"At the moment I would guess Greatest Hits tour and then we might not come back with an album in the next year because it might feel too soon.

"I would say we'd probably look at what's on the table and then maybe discuss with a few other people, labels and see what's there and move forward."

However the Westlife star admitted that there is no hard feelings between the band and their former mentor Cowell.

"I texted him when the amicable departure happened and I said Simon I just want to thank you for the 13 years and I owe you an awful lot. Straight away he replied and said 'listen we're always here for you guys'."

westtlife will tour China with its new album Gravity in September,

Beijing

Irish pop group

Westlife is a boy band from Ireland that was founded in1998. Their albums such as Westlife, Coast to Coast andWorld of our Own, are hugely popular around the world, andsongs such as My Love, You Raise Me Up and The Roseare all-time favorites. The group will tour China with its newalbum Gravity in September, and perform in Shanghai,Beijing and Guangzhou.

8 pm, Sept 21. Shanghai Grand Stage, 1111 Caoxi Beilu, Shanghai. 021-6217-2426

8 pm, Sept 23. Guangzhou International Sports and Performance Center, 2666 KaichuangDadao, Guangzhou. 400-610-3721

7:30 pm, Sept 25. MasterCard Center (formerly the Wukesong Arena), 69 Fuxing Lu, Haidiandistrict, Beijing. 010-8822-8118

STARS RALLY TO CAUSE

MANBAND Westlife are the latest superstars to back the Daily Star’s Reclaim Our Streets crusade.

The boys – Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan, both 32, and Kian Egan and Mark Feehily, both 31 – urged the nation to join them.

Nicky, above with the band, told us: “It’s important to do all we can to help families and businesses that were affected by the riots.”

JOIN THE DAILY STAR CRUSADE TO RECLAIM OUR STREETS: DONATE HERE NOW

Peter Andre, 38, reaffirmed his support after being among the first to answer our rallying cry when we launched the crusade. The star of ITV2’s Here 2 Help, top right, urged: “Spread the word.”

Six-time British MMA cage fighting champion Denniston Sutherland, 38, also weighed in.

The hardman, middle right, said: ‘‘Rioters need to use their brains and show respect and restraint.’’

Pop star Shayne Ward, 26, added his voice to the campaign. The X Factor winner, right, who has sold three million records told us: ‘‘This way all the decent people can have their voice heard.’’

And sexy TOWIE star Sam Faiers, 20, left, showed that the only way to make Britain a 

Kian and Jodi will be marvellous parents, says delighted Nicky

By LN

Thursday August 18 2011

WESTLIFE star Nicky Byrne has revealed his delight for his bandmate Kian Egan, who is preparing to become a father for the first time.

The Dublin singer told the Diary how he was delighted to hear earlier this month that Kian and his wife, Wonderland singer Jodi Albert, were expecting their first child.

The singer explained how Kian was a great help when he started his own family with wife Georgina Ahern. The couple have children, twin brothers Rocco and Jay (4).

tips

"It's such great news. The thing about Kian is he has a load of nieces and nephews so Kian, if I'm honest, was actually giving me and Georgina tips when we started having kids, back in the day," he laughed.

Speaking at the launch of the new ad campaign for the Irish Heart Foundation earlier this week, the star who was accompanied by his wife and their twin sons, revealed that singer Jodi has always been very maternal.

"Kian was very good with kids from the offset so I really think he will be a great dad and Jodi will be a great mum, she's brilliant with Rocco and Jay, she's very very motherly. I am genuinely delighted for them," he revealed.

Meanwhile, the Dublin star -- who is tipped to be the new co-presenter of RTE's The Voice -- told the Diary that he hasn't met or spoken to former bandmate Brian McFadden since his return to Ireland.

The Australia's Got Talent judge is in town for a month with model girlfriend Vogue Williams, and although he asked Westlife member Mark Feehily to meet up last week, Nicky (32) says he hasn't heard from him at all.

blood

"I haven't seen Brian or heard anything from him, you probably see him or hear about him more than I do," he joked.

The dad-of-two insists however that there is no bad blood between them.

"I never fell out with Brian, he's a good mate but just haven't heard from him or seen him at all," he explained.

- LN

Push to get men with heart attack fears to dial 999

FIVE MEN aged under 65 die from heart attacks every week in Ireland, deaths which could be prevented by dialling 999 according to the Irish Heart Foundation.

Launching an awareness campaign yesterday, supported by Westlife’s Nicky Byrne, chief executive officer of the IHF Michael O’Shea said middle-aged men often ignored heart attack symptoms.

“Men don’t want to cause a fuss, it’s a typical Irish male attitude,” Mr O’Shea said. “We felt these cartoons were a unique approach that would appeal to them more than a traditional advertisement.”

The cartoons show how men often convince themselves there is no need to go to hospital, emphasising people should not be embarrassed to call an ambulance when feeling ill.

Also speaking at the launch, the medical director for the IHF Dr Angie Brown said about 84 per cent of people under 65 who have heart attacks are male.

She also pointed out, however, that more women die from heart disease than from breast cancer.

“If you get to hospital within an hour, you have a 50 per cent higher chance of survival,” Dr Brown said, adding that many people delay for days after noticing the first symptoms.

She said this was clearly linked to playing down symptoms and not wishing to make a fuss.

About 6,300 people suffer heart attacks in Ireland annually but only half of these will go to hospital by ambulance, according to the organisation.

Both Dr Brown and Mr O’Shea said possible symptoms included sweating, nausea or light-headedness, not just the more dramatic symptoms people might imagine.

Dr Brown finished by saying: “Don’t waste time on going to the GP or driving yourself to the hospital. If you’re having a heart attack, then don’t die of embarrassment. Dial 999.”

Before the launch, Byrne said he and his family wished to commemorate his father, Nicky Byrne snr, who suffered a fatal heart attack at the age of 60 in 2009.

Byrne (32) said he hoped this campaign would also reach out to people his own age. “People could speak to their parents, tell them to go and have an NCT on their body. You do it for your car every two years, why not for your body?”

Dave Talked To Westlife's Nicky Byrne About His Campaign For The Irish Heart Foundation.

Listen Here

No plans for a re-union but maybe one day

Nicky Byrne says he’d love to sing with Bryan Mc Fadden “one day” but there’s no plans for a re-union.

Nicky and the rest of Westlife are now looking forward to the tour of South Africa and South East Asia in the autumn.

Earlier this summer Robbie Williams joined Take That on stage again for a reunion tour across Europe.

But Nicky says it’s a very different situation and there’s not the same water under the bridge.

Nicky Byrne Launches New Heart Campaign

Westlife’s Nicky Byrne has launched a new campaign to encourage men to call 999 if they feel the symptoms of a heart attack.

The Byrne family raised almost a quarter of a million euro to fund the TV and radio commercials, following the death of the singer’s Dad, Nicky Senior, two years ago.

The Irish Heart Foundation campaign warns men not “die of embarrassment” and ignore the warning signs.

Speaking to 98FM News, Nicky Byrne explained how his 60-year-old Dad delayed seeking medical help:

“The thing about Dad was he was very proud of never being sick in his life, he used to tell us that he never cancelled a gig for a sore throat. I thought he was invincible as well and I think he had us all convinced that he was invincible and he’d live forever. When you see how things are now with modern medicine people live a lot longer and he should have and could have.

Heart foundation launches new awareness campaign

uesday, August 16, 2011 - 01:00 PM

The Irish Heart Foundation has launched a new campaign urging men not to delay in calling 999 if they think they are having a heart attack.

Around 6,300 people suffer a heart attack in Ireland every year but only half of these will contact emergency services.

The new campaign is aimed at urging men in particular to be aware of the symptoms of a heart attack and call 999 if they suspect they are having one.

Westlife's Nicky Byrne, who lost his father Nicky to a heart attack in 2009, is supporting the campaign.

The 5-minute Interview: Nicky Byrne, member of Westlife Monday, 29 October 2007

Nicky Byrne, 28, is a member of the Irish boy band Westlife. After 14 UK No 1 singles and 36 million records sold worldwide, Westlife return to the UK charts today with their new single 'Home', to be followed by their new album 'Back Home' next month.

If I weren't talking to you right now I'd be...

Holding my son Jay on my knee and winding him. Our twins both need feeding at 11am and Georgina's feeding them both at the moment. They're great little dotes.

A phrase I use far too often is...

"Numpty." It's from a really funny advert for car insurance on TV that involves erratic drivers. A guy shouts "numpty" at another guy who rips the door of his car off. It just totally describes all the numpties on the road!

I wish people would take more notice of...

Roundabouts. It freaks me out when people don't use them properly.

The most surprising thing that happened to me ...

In my professional life, the time when Westlife sang with Kevin Spacey after the premiere of the film Beyond the Sea. Then for a Christmas special on ITV Kevin did "Fly Me to the Moon" with us as well which was great. In my personal life, I'd say the surprise of when the twins arrived eight weeks early!

A common misperception of me is...

A lot of people who aren't fans just see four guys in black suits on stage. They don't know our personalities or our characters, but that helps us take the mickey out of ourselves, it keeps us grounded.

I am not a politician but...

If I was I'd make sure everyone could have Monday mornings off for that extra lie-in after the weekend.

I'm good at...

Football. I always played as a kid although I don't get to play as much now. Also, cooking. I'd love to do a chef's course, and I really enjoyed watching Hell's Kitchen.

I'm very bad at...

Getting into small elevators. If they look ropey, even if the meeting's on the 30th floor, I just won't get in. I'll walk or I'll not go to the meeting.

The ideal night out is ...

If it's with my wife, a nice meal in Shanahan's restaurant in Dublin, or if we're in London then somewhere like the Cipriani. Then, meeting up with the rest of the lads and their partners to go to a club for a party.

In moments of weakness I...

Have a fry-up. Georgina's very into nutrition but nothing beats sausages and eggs in the morning. I love chips too.

In a truer life I would have been...

A footballer. Football was my life when I was a kid – I played for the Ireland 16-18s and was signed by Leeds after that.

The best age to be is...

Well, I'm 29, so I'll say 29.

In a nutshell, my philosophy is this:

Live the dream.

Naomi Walker

Pictures Of Nicky Byrne - Celtic V Man U

Funny Mark Interview

WOULD U RATHER BE A BEE OR A WASP?
do both of them die after stinging? i think i'd rather be a bee because people like bees more than wasps. don't ask me why i mean what's the point in wasps? Billie sings about bees, so i'll go for that.

HAVE YOU EVER LOVED ANYONE WHO DIDN'T LOVE YOU BACK?
i really, really used to love Chloe from home and away and she couldn't get a chance to love me back hehe.

DO U TIDY UP WHEN YOU HAVE VISITORS ROUND?
it depends on what mood i'm in. most of the time i scan round the house to make sure there are no pancakes sticking to the ceiling

WHY DOES YOUR NOSE RUN?
thats a tough one, (turns to band for help,)
bryan why does your nose run? Er to keep up with your feet

WHO IS THE SEXIEST WOMAN ON THE PLANET?
(HE REALLY WANTED TO SAY ME HERE BUT INSTEAD HE SAID THIS)
mariah carey. lately her image has become even more sexier but that's fine with me

DO U KNOW ANYONE CALLED BARBARA?
there's a singer in ireland called barbara ellis and a girl who used to babysite me called barbara kennedy. she used to sing for me but i never fancied her i don't go for older women

WHATS THE PERVIEST ITEM OF CLOTHING YOU OWN?
i don't have a six pack, and so i don't have any revealing clothing. its probably just a pair of multi coloured socks

DO U KNOW WHERE ITS AT?
i can know where its at sometimes. i wouldn't be as slow as some of the lads in the band but i know where we are and where its at.

WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU FELL OVER?
The last time i fell over was when i was at home in Sligo and i was walking into my bedroom. i tripped and whacked my head of the mattress it could've been dangerous!

(oh bless mark he's 2 cute u can just imagine him falling over lol)

ISN'T WESTLIFE A BIT OF A BORING NAME?
we're happy to be called westlife the name doesn't mean that much but obviously if we were called smelly socks- no offence to any band with that name- it would be a different story.

TOTP Shane & Kian Double Trouble (Interesting)

THE INTERVIEW I PROMISED TO PUT UP :)


They’ve been interviewed a hundred times, but do you ever have a feeling there’s more to the ‘Life lads than meets the eye? Are the really best mates or is it all just one big pop charade? Well, who better to let us in on their saucy secrets than Shane & Kian. 

The idea was so simple : we cajole two of pop’s hottest and busiest bods into interviewing each other. But exactly how simple is simple? Er, to be precise, as simple as 400 phone calls, one cancelled trip and two delayed flights, two train trips, hours of loitering outside dressing rooms and hotel suites - and of course, our fingernails bitten right down to the quick! So finally, it’s time for the lads to speak for themselves! 

Shane : (to Kian) I've always wondered what your first impression of me was.

Kian : I can’t think where we first met! I remember thinking you were a cool guy who was interested in the same things as me. What about you?

Shane : The first time we really met was in the theatre-company thing. Remember? I knew you were good, but I didn’t know much else about you. I thought you were cool though.

Kian : (joking) Aah thanks. Well I am cool! Alright so what do I do that drives you crazy?

Shane : You lose your temper sometimes and when you do, you lose it badly, don’t you?
Kian : I’m a lot better than I use to be!

Shane : You are, but when we are all stressed out, I think that you stress out more than everyone else. (smiles wickedly) Now this is really hard to answer but do I do anything that annoys you?

Kian : It’s so hard to get your attention sometimes - like when you’re watching TV - I have to call you ten times before you actually listen to what I’m saying. It drives me mad - aaargh!

Shane : Hmm, I can’t really argue with that. But here’s a toughie for you: have you ever fancied any of my girlfriends? I hope not - not my girlfriend now anyway, ha-ha!
Kian : Did you ever go out with that girl who used to work at Peter Marks?

Shane : No, she used to go out with Connor. I never went out with her. Did you like her?

Kian : Yeah. You’ve fancied all my girlfriends though, haven’t you. That’s a fact, ha-ha!

Shane : Nooo! I’d tell you if I did. You would too wouldn’t you?

Kian : Yeah, but only for a joke. We are mates after all.

Kian : Being a mate, you’d never borrow any of my stuff without asking, would you?

Shane: Maybe a shirt or some clothes. If I needed some thing to wear I’d probably nick it out of your suitcase!

Kian : Really? Oh I don’t mind. We do lend each other everything, don’t we? I borrowed your credit card a few times though, ha-ha!

Shane : (joking) Oh cool! I did wonder why the bill was so big last month!

Shane : right, this one will shut you up! Tell me about the oldest girl you’ve snogged.

Kian : She was 26 and I was 19. I was in the band at the time. I’m not saying who it was though. What about you?

Shane : The most would be about two or three years older than me. I’ve never snogged anyone who was like ten years older than me!

Kian : (seriously) When did you last ***** about some one?

Shane : Oh god, come on! We ***** about some one every day!

Kian : But we’re not big *****es.

Shane : No but you know there’s always something that annoys us - something that was supposed to be done that hasn’t been. Neither of us likes stuff not being done.

Kian : Yeah but we don’t ***** about each other.

Shane : Nah we don’t. OK listen to this - are you jealous that I get all the female attention? I’m just trying to start a fight aren’t I?

Kian : (Sarcastically) Oh yeah, I’m sooo jealous!

Shane : You don’t get any sleep at night!

Kian : I am losing sleep, I don’t get any female attention. It’s been affecting me for years, ha-ha.

Shane : (seriously) Ahem, I’d just like to point out that I don’t get all the female attention!

Shane : Anyway lets change the subject - what’s the worse outfit I’ve ever worn? Oh the shoes, remember the shoes in America? Remember the police were after me?

Kian : The fashion police have been after you a few times now!

Shane : (protesting) But not in a long time.

Kian : Yeah not for ages but they have a been a lot. I can’t think of one incident in particular . . . . No, I’ve got it - Tenerife! (between fits of laughter) You came down to the pool in bum bag, white socks, black flip flops, shorts, vest, shirt, cap and shades. Ha-ha! We were all like ‘What are you doing?’

Shane : (Hurt) That was about four years ago and it was my first time in a hot country!

Kian : You looked like the tourist from hell! All you needed was the snappy camera!

Shane : I have to admit that was terrible - but let me think what your worst outfit was!

Kian : I don’t have a bad outfit! Well I do have some extreme jackets. Ooh remember that blue jacket with the red lightening stripes on the arms?

Shane : I thought that was quite cool actually. Kian : Really are you lying? Talking of which, be honest, what have you ever lied to me about?

Shane : Nothing purposefully. I might want to keep certain things in my private life quiet sometimes but that’s not lying is it? (mucking about) But what if I looked fat in an outfit, would you tell me?

Kian : Yeah! But then we all would, wouldn’t we? It’s quite cruel but it’s part of what we do. None of us wants to be photographed in something that looks bad, so it’s a way of helping each other out. I think that’s actually a nice thing to do.

Shane : (laughing) well, seeing as I’m so nice to you, am I your best mate?

Kian : Yes! Together : We’re best mates!

Kian : Messing about aside, I think we get on very well and when we do go home, we go out together and everything, don’t we?

Shane : Compared to the rest of the band, we probably get on an awful lot better as we do hang out when we’re not working.

Kian : And we have the same mates, so there are a lot of connections there. We’re really good mates.

Shane : (putting on a girlie voice) OK one more, what would you say is my best feature?

Kian : (putting on a girlies voice too) Oh, your charm, Shane, ha-ha!

Shane : Thanks Kian. I’d say yours is your lovely blonde hair! 

Westlife coming to Singapore in October

SINGAPORE: Irish boy band Westlife will perform in Singapore on October 3 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium, as part of their Westlife Gravity Tour in support of their 11th album "Gravity".

The group's upcoming concert will be their fourth here since it was formed way back in 1998 as a quintet consisting of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan and Brian McFadden.

Originally put together by caustic UK music producer Simon Cowell and co-managed by Boyzone leader Ronan Keating, Westlife has been performing as a quartet since McFadden quit in 2004.

Westlife is one of the longest lived boy bands in the UK, with a career spanning 12 years and 11 albums.

The band is best known for their hits like "Uptown Girl" and "World of Our Own".

Tickets are on sale now.

ISPCC Anti-Bullying Awareness Campaign

I know at first hand how the impact of being bullied as a teenager can quite literally last a lifetime and I thought that if we could involve well known ISPCC ambassadors perhaps people will think twice about bullying or indeed allowing bullying to happen. Mark Feehily, Westlife - ISPCC Ambassador 

Throughout the next 4 weeks the ISPCC, with the help of many generous supporters, will be running a campaign with the aim of highlighting the devastating, lasting effects that bullying has on the lives of children and young people. 

Five of our amazing ambassadors have come together to put their faces to our campaign - Saoirse Ronan, Mark Feehily, Louis Walsh, Laura Whitmore and Jedward. Check out the image gallery. 

Emotional scars are not visible to the eye so our ambassadors carry physical injuries as a representation of the effect that bullying can have on the life of a child. In 2011 Bullying can take on many forms from physical threats to online harassment. 

Last year the Childline service received around 2,300 calls and messages everyday from young people with almost a quarter of these contacts relating to abuse and welfare, including bullying as well as issues around mental health. 

Bullying can impact greatly on a young person’s development leading to isolation, loneliness, depression and low self-esteem. In recent years there have been some high profile and tragic cases, highlighting the detrimental and sometimes fatal effect of ongoing bullying and harassment.

We are hoping that children and young people will be encouraged by this campaign to stand up and say no to bullying. Through this campaign, it is hoped that young people will find the strength to talk about what is going on for them and to seek support to have it stop.

They have the right to be heard and to be protected.

Childline is available to every child in Ireland 24 hours a day on 1800 66 66 66 or online atChildline.ie. 
A guide for parents is available here. 

Click here to download your copy of the ISPCC Children’s Rights Manifesto. 

Sincere thanks to everyone who made this possible: 

Mark Feehily, Louis Walsh, Saoirse Ronan, Laura Whitmore, Jedward, Photographer Barry McCall, Make up artist Tom McInerney, PML Poster Management, JCDecaux and Screenlink.

All of the above have given their services free of charge to the ISPCC.

Mark Feehily speaks about being bullied as a teen

WESTLIFE'S Mark Feehily has revealed how he was subjected to a brutal campaign of bullying by fellow students during his teens as he gets behind a new campaing.

An anti-bullying campaign for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children which was the brainchild of the Westlife star has resulted in a surge of calls to the organisation's helpline.

'X-Factor' judge Louis Walsh, actress Saoirse Ronan and Eurovision stars Jedward have also signed up for the campaign, which features disturbing photographs of themselves made up to look like assault victims.

The celebrities have all experienced bullying and agreed to get involved to encourage their young fans to come forward if they are being picked on.

Mark recalled painful memories of creeping from class to class at school to avoid being brutally beaten, punched and kicked.

The singer said the bullying had a devastating effect on his life and, due to suffering in silence, he experienced very "low and very lonely periods".

The charity's national fundraising manager Lloyd Byrne said it had received hundreds of calls over the weekend from children who were being bullied.

Mark Feehily speaks about being bullied as a teen

WESTLIFE'S Mark Feehily has revealed how he was subjected to a brutal campaign of bullying by fellow students during his teens as he gets behind a new campaing.

An anti-bullying campaign for the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children which was the brainchild of the Westlife star has resulted in a surge of calls to the organisation's helpline.

'X-Factor' judge Louis Walsh, actress Saoirse Ronan and Eurovision stars Jedward have also signed up for the campaign, which features disturbing photographs of themselves made up to look like assault victims.

The celebrities have all experienced bullying and agreed to get involved to encourage their young fans to come forward if they are being picked on.

Mark recalled painful memories of creeping from class to class at school to avoid being brutally beaten, punched and kicked.

The singer said the bullying had a devastating effect on his life and, due to suffering in silence, he experienced very "low and very lonely periods".

The charity's national fundraising manager Lloyd Byrne said it had received hundreds of calls over the weekend from children who were being bullied.

Sligo's Mark Feehily in bullying poster campaign

A poster campaign highlighting the impact bullying can have on young people’s lives was launched yesterday in Dublin.

The campaign will use posters of Irish celebrities depicted with cuts and bruises or crying to emphasise the lasting effect that physical and mental bullying can have on victims’ lives.

It is being organised by the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and is scheduled to last for four weeks.

“I know at first hand how the impact of being bullied as a teenager can quite literally last a lifetime,” said Westlife member Mark Feehily, who came up with the idea for the campaign.

Yesterday the Sligo man expressed hope that by involving other celebrities in an awareness campaign, people would “think twice about bullying” and that they would be more willing to stand up to others who bully. “Everyone involved believes strongly that the message that emanates from each shot is a simple one. Bullying and abuse whether verbal, physical or emotional is unacceptable in today’s society.”

Well-known figures who will act as ambassadors for the campaign as well as feature on the posters are actor Saoirse Ronan, performers John and Edward Grimes (Jedward), MTV presenter Laura Whitmore and music manager Louis Walsh.

“We are very grateful to Mark Feehily and our ambassadors for their support in raising awareness of this important issue,” chief executive of the society, Ashley Balbirnie, said yesterday. “Through our Childline service we hear first hand the stories of abuse and isolation that so many are experiencing. Through this campaign we hope that many of these can find the courage to tell someone,” she said.




















Childline is available 24 hours a day on 1800-666666 or online at Childline.ie.

Interview Mark Feehily 9.08.2011

Interview_Mark_Feehily

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Westlife's Mark: I support campaign because I was slapped, beaten and called a fat queer

By Mark Feehily

Tuesday August 09 2011

THE bruises and blood in my photo might be make-up, but it represents real blood and bruises I had as a result of a very real beating or three I received not long before I joined Westlife.

I am involved with the ISPCC Anti-Bullying Campaign because I personally experienced bullying a lot in life. To this day I still have memories of that experience within me that shape who I am.

SOLITARY

Because I am in a position to create awareness and to inspire conversation I took the opportunity to do something positive to help other people in this solitary place which can only be described as hell.

For example, at one point in school, for months on end, I crept from class to class via alternative routes in order to escape being punched and kicked.

They found me one day and attacked me from behind.

Other times it was being afraid of being spat on, slapped in the face or being called a fat bastard or fat queer.

Because I lacked the confidence to stand up for myself. Because I was a bit shy. Perhaps it was because I displayed a tiny bit of effeminate behaviour or because I wasn't loud or cocky or quick to think of a witty reply.

I think this made it low risk for people to verbally and physically attack me.

I am involved because at points in my life bullying has had a devastating effect on me and due to suffering in silence, I had some very low

and very lonely periods.

Children, whether very young, or in their teenage years, should not have to put up with this. The victims of bullying mostly live in silence, which is caused by the fear that if they speak out, the beatings or abuse will get worse.

I know this, I lived this. That's why I'm passionate about this new campaign.

BLIND

People seem to turn a blind eye to bullying unless they themselves or someone close to them experiences it.

The celebrities involved in this campaign have millions of fans around the world. These photos will hopefully ignite compassion in all our fans, and inspire them to get involved and help ISPCC and other similar charities around the world.

- Mark Feehily