Westrife: Boyband take aim at ex-boss Simon Cowell and Brian McFadden as they discuss why they finally decided to split

By DAILY MAIL REPORTER



Parting shots: The group (l-r) Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan and Nicky Byrne have taking aim at former boss Simon Cowell and ex-bandmate Brian McFadden



They've finally called time on their prosperous career as one of the biggest boybands ever to come out of Ireland.

And now Westlife have spoken about their decision to call it a day, while also taking aim at former boss Simon Cowell and their ex-bandmate Brian McFadden.

The group, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, and Shane Filan, said they ended up feeling 'unloved' by Cowell when they were on his label Syco - while sweeping former member McFadden to one side saying he they'd worked harder than him.



Criticised: Syco label owner Simon Cowell and ex-Westlife singer Brian McFadden both came under fire in the group's interview



Speaking to the Daily Mirror, Nicky said: 'Simon WAS the best thing that ever happened to us, with Louis Walsh, in the beginning. Without Simon Cowell we wouldn't have had the career the way we've had it. He picked every single and it's the singles that make you successful.



Party of five: Westlife as they were when Brian was a member - he left the group in 2004



'He's a very talented man at what he does. Especially picking songs. But then Syco Music... records... whatever. That whole machine exploded for him in the States.

'I don't think for one minute, "Why is he gonna worry about little old Westlife when he's over in the States?"'



I'm leaving: Here Brian McFadden is seen announcing his departure from the group seven years ago



The group then went on to explain how, as Cowell became more famous in America, his attention on them slowly dwindled.

Nicky continued to describe how Westlife would be in clubs with the music mogul and he'd be surrounded by fans scrambling for a chance to meet him.

He said: 'We were used to getting all the attention, but in this club everyone - including men - were queueing to get to him.



'We were edging closer, trying to stand beside him. All these people wanted to talk to him, and he'd just sit there and wink at us. He could be sitting with Oprah Winfrey and he'd turn and give you that wink.'

Meanwhile they explained why former member Brian McFadden was not invited back to join them in a Robbie Williams-style comeback towards the end of their run as Westlife.

Kian said: 'Do you think he should come back? The thing is. Some people do look at it like that, but the four of us have spent the past eight years working our a***s off to keep it together. And he hasn't.

'Maybe a random gig. Or we could just get drunk together.'



One last show: Westlife will bow out with their final Greatest Hits tour



The group announced their split last month, much to the disappointment of their loyal army of fans.

At the time of the split they said: 'After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top 5 albums, 7 of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44 million copies around the world, 10 sell-out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year.

'The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures.'



source: dailymail