Background info

Westlife are originally from county Sligo here in the west coast of  Ireland.The band joned together on 3 July 1998.Mark , Shane and Kian grew up in the same town and went to the same secondary school but they wernt childhood friends infact Kian briefly bullied Mark in an aim to look superior. Shane and Kian however used to preform in the school shows together but Shane was a year ahead of Kian. Nikki is the only member of the band not from Sligo, he is from Dublin.He joined the band throught an audition they held for a fourth member.

Shane was born 5 July 1979 Shane Steven Filan, the youngest of seven children his sisters Yvonne, Denise and Mairead and his brothers Finbarr, Peter and Liam. He lived on top of Carlton cafe in the middle of Sligo, which his parents Mae and Peter ran. He went to Fatime Primary School. He wasnt the smarest of students usually a C+. In secondary school he stared auditioning for musicals. He got his first break in Hawks Well Theatre in the production of Grease.

Kian was born on 29 April 1980,Kian Egan in an family of nine he has three sisters Viveanne, Fenella, Marielle and three bothers Tom, Colm and Gavin also his Parents Kevin and Patricia. Kian entered poetry competitions every year from the age of four. Kian went to Summerhill college secondary school where he preformed in musicals with Shane.

Mark was born on 28 May 1980 Mark Patrick Michael Feehily. He lived in a four bedroomed bungalow in the countryside near Sligo. He has two younger borthers Barry and Colin and parents Oliver and Marie. Mark used to spend alot of time at his grannys house. Mark went to St Patricks priamry school. Mark entered a talent competition which Kian was also in this was the first time he sang in public, Mark won his category and age group which meant alot to him.

Nikki was born on 9 October 1978 in Dublin,Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne Nicky his parents Yvonne and Nicky. He was born in Dublin as the middle child, having an older sister, Gillian and a younger brother, Adam. From the age of 7 he played for local, successful Dublin side Home Farm Football Club. he played as a goalkeeper, and when he was in his early teens he won the Young European Keeper of the Year. He briefly palyed for Leeds United. He set up a karioke with his dad 'father and son'. he then auditioned for westlife where he and Brian Mac Fadden became members of the band.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97Whzz5Ue4o&feature=related