bry inter1.html

The daddy who prefers rock to pop

from Smash Hits Magazine October 2002 Thanks to Jo for this interview!

Has being a dad changed you?

Hugely. I have people dependent on me now. Having Molly has made being in the band harder - I never used to care about being away but now I miss her and Kerry so much. And now we have a new baby due in February. I'm so excited - I'm hoping for a boy.

Is being famous all you dreamed it would be?

God, no, far from it. The dream is glitz and glamour - the reality is very different. But that's the same with everything in life - the grass is always greener on the other side. And I'm not into wearing all that glam, designer stuff, but obviously we have to. It's like wearing a uniform really.

What could you see yourself doing after Westlife?

Maybe a bit of solo stuff, but I'd like to move into writing and producing. That's my main aim. I'd love to get into rock more than pop but we'll have to see what happens.

Has your taste in music changed then?

No, just expanded. I still love the music I've always loved; I just appreciate other sorts of music now aswell. I actually listen to alot of classical albums, especially at night when I'm laying in bed. Being in the band has really expanded my horizons, though. I love Japanese food now - it's something I wouldn't have tried before the band, but now I love it.

What do you do to chill out?

I play the guitar and piano more so my songs are alot better than they used to be. I like Tiger Woods' Golf for the playstation 2 - me and my friend Gary sat up until 6am playing it the other night. I'm not allowed to bring it on tour with me because I'd never do any work.

Ever wanted to give it all up?

When you read nasty stuff in the papers you think, "I don't need this anymore, it's ruining my life." I've really been stung by the press. I'm portrayed as this alcoholic, violent person but I've not had a fight since I joined Westlife. I drink the least out of all the boys but once it's printed, all you can do is sit there and take it. It's the price you pay for success.

article ©Smash Hits magazine 2002

Westlife Bully Hell

from The Daily Record Newspaper September 29th 2002

Bryan McFadden and Mark Feehily have told of the pain of being bullied as teenagers, in response to the Record's Save Our Kids campaign. Yesterday, Bryan and Mark made an emotional appeal to Scots everywhere to recognise the pressures kids face at school. The Irish superstars have been backed by band pals Kian Egan, Shane Lynch and Nicky Byrne in calling on Scots children to speak out about bullying and abuse. Mark and Bryan say their own school years were made a living hell by bullies.

While Bryan eventually developed a sense of humour to deal with relentless taunts about his weight, Mark's bullying got so bad he was afraid to walk from class to class for fear of being beaten up. Overcome with emotion at the Record's Save Our Kids coverage, Bryan said: "I was bullied throughout my schooldays for being overweight, but in some ways it helped me. It hurt me a lot, especially as a youngster, but eventually I just got so used to being knocked. Because I got bullied so much, I actually worked on my confidence and somehow managed to build up my self-esteem. Rightly or wrongly, I learned to accept the bullying and it made me a better person in the long run. Even though it hurt, it was important for me to learn from it. I thought if I could try to get some control over the bullying, I could perhaps get through it. I don't know how I coped. I just think I got so used to being bullied that I let it go. It almost became a part of my life. When people called me fat it would just bounce off me. It made me witty because I got so used to firing quick, one-line answers back at people."

Mark added: "I was very quiet in school and that attracted the bullies. They tend to pick on people who are different in any way but it is much more interesting than being the same as anyone else. I used to feel too embarrassed to tell anyone about what was being done. I feel now that I shouldn't have been afraid to speak up because there is nothing to be embarrassed about if you are being bullied. I know a lot of kids look at teachers as if they are aliens but they will listen and understand. Often they can do something about it. Nine in 10 people at school are very nice and genuine. Just that one in 10 is a bad apple or a bully. Don't let them ruin your school years."

The band joined in to praise the Record's campaign. Nicky said: "Anything which helps people talk about the problem is a good thing. People can find a release from their anger and hurt. It's also important for these bullies to be made to realise that it's not acceptable behaviour."

His voice breaking, Mark added: "People take drastic measures because they are too alone to deal with the pressure. I knew a friend who committed suicide because his sister's boyfriend killed himself. They were close and he couldn't deal with it. For me, it was bullying which proved hard to handle. It got to the point where I was afraid to go from class to class because there were people after me. It's not very nice to be a victim of that sort of thing. The minute I told my parents, all the emotion flowed out of me. I was crying but I didn't feel half as bad afterwards. It was such a great relief, in a way, I almost felt a bit daft. Talking about the problem seemed to take away the intensity of the pain. Unfortunately, people lose all their confidence and start believing what bullies say. It is really sad that a lot of people are hurt by bullies who think they are having a laugh. These people should be told to stop but they should also be given help, to make them realise it's no way to behave and get to the heart of their problems."

Nicky added: "I'm sure the people who bullied kids who have committed suicide will find their lives ruined as well. People need to be educated when they are young about the consequences of bullying."

Bryan continued: "I read these stories in the Record of young people who have taken their lives and it's heartbreaking. A little girl shouldn't even have the capacity to think of doing something like that. I'd like young people to realise there is always a better option. There's always someone you can talk to, or a number you can call to get advice

Shane insists that children who are bullied should still be positive about the future. He said: "Bryan and Mark have been bullied and look at them now. Just because you are being bullied in your early years doesn't mean that it is going to be that way for the rest of your life. Be strong and tell somebody.

If you can't talk to friends or a parent, call Samaritans or Childline." Bryan added: "It's true. It may seem odd to say it but if I hadn't been bullied at school and hadn't been overweight, I probably wouldn't be here today."

article ©The Daily Record 2002

Heart 2 Heart with Bryan

L&K's "Westlife Special" Magazine,

July 2000 thanks to Jacqueline - pumbaa@enterprise.net - for this article! >> subscribe to Live & Kicking Magazine

What would you most like people to know about you? "I love songwriting. I've already written seven songs for the next album. Our first CD featured a lot of other people's songs, but for the next one we're gonna have more say in it."

How would your mum and dad describe you? "Always on the move, always doing something. There's no way I can just sit and do nothing. But these days I make the most of relaxing.

" What is your earliest childhood memory? "I'll never forget the first time I came to England. I was about six, I had a little red raincoat, red wellies and a hat!"

Are you a good judge of character?

"Yeah, I know straight away when people are fake and just want to know me because I'm in Westlife. When you look into someone's eyes you know whether their genuine, especially girls. You can tell they're not interested in what you're saying, and they're just thinking, "My God I'm sat with someone out of Westlife!"

Do you meet a lot of people like that, then? "Oh yeah, so many. I just say "I've got to go now!". I'd never snog a girl who treated me like that."

How romantic would you say you were?

"Very romantic. People probably think i'm the kind of guy that goes out with loads of girls, 'cause I was in the papers eight times in three months and only one of them was true! The funniest was when they said I was going out with Hannah from S Club. I was going round her house to her flatmate who I've been friends with for ages

." What sort of romantic things do you like to do?

"What makes me happy is doing things that make the girl smile. I love it. I was seeing a girl who was really into 70s music so I got as many 70s albums as I could for her birthday. Some guys would buy her flowers or jewellery, but I knew there was this band she really lved, so I knew it would make her really happy."

Ever been in love? "Ooh yes!"

How many times then? "Once. I got my heart broken. She's one of the nicest people I've ever met. but because of what I'm doing, it was hard to carry on the relationship."

Is it weird that so many girls fancy you? "I don't think they fancy me - it was only when I got into this band that they started paying attention to me. All of us lads know we're not models or anything, we're just boys in a band."

What do you look at first in the mirror? "It's usually my hair. And I always check to see if my chin is getting fatter!"

What are your best and worst features? "My weight is my worst attribute, it goes up and down so much. One week I'll be OK and be getting away with it, and the next I'm overweight again."

Who was the last person you hugged? "I hug people I work with every day, but the last person I gave a proper hug too was my mum 'cause she was going into hospital."

What makes you smile? "Like I said before, what makes me smile is making people happy. That's why I love being in the band so much - because I get to see all the girls smile!"

What TV show makes you laugh? "I really like watching Friends. When Friends in on it always really cheers me up."

When was the last time you bawled your eyes out?

"A while ago when my mum's best friend died of cancer. I was close to her because we used to go on holiday together. I'm quite emotional and cry easily. In America recently we met these guys from Dublin and I had a tear in my eye talking about home."

When and how did you first learn about the birds and the bees?

"I don't think that there was just one time or just one day. I think I picked it up gradually as I went along. My friends were all older then me so they probably told me." Describe your bedroom... "I don't really have a bedroom anymore, but my mum tries to keep a room free for me. She puts all my mail on the bed - it's covered with letters when I get back. I've still got my Superman duvet cover on my bed though!"

What's your most treasured posession?

"There are two things actually - my dad gave me a peice of rock that was blessed by a bishop and is meant to protect me. Then i've got a prayer book which my auntie gave me when I got into this band."

What's been the best moment of your life so far, Bryan?

"The day I got into this band. It was weird 'cause at the audition they picked me and Nicky on a trial basis and were gonna choose between us. But in the end they decided to keep both and get rid of one of the others!"

How did you celebrate that night? "We'd made such good friends with Michael who was let go from the band, we just sat and tried to cheer the poor fella up."

Is there anything in life you that you worry about? "I worry about my family, especially their health. And I worry about the band not working out well."

When did you last lose your temper? "Recently, I was tired and stressed at work and I lost it over something really stupid. But I never really shout. I hate confrontations and arugments."

How tough are you? "I don't like fighting at all, but I can defend myself."

Have you ever been in a proper fist fight? "At school. Someone pushed my sister so I stuck up for her."

Are you scared about having a baby? "No, i'm really excited about marriage and having babies. But first, I need a few days off to meet the right person to do it with!"

Would you say that fame has ever been a burden to you? Yeah, of course it has. When you're tired and you've got time off and people still expect you to be a pop star. Even if you say, "Look i'm tired",they might accuse you of being arrogant."

How important is money to you? "Money has never been important, but now I've got some it's a comfort. Would I still be in the band if I only got £50 a week from it? Yeah, of course."

What do you most admire about Kian? "Umm...his strengh. If anything's going wrong, he sticks with it til it's right."

And what do you least admire about him? "His temper - he loses his temper very quickly." This interview has been... The second best experience of my life. And I can't be telling you exactly what the best was!"

article © Live & Kicking Magazine

Swear It Again

Lime Magazine, December 1999

thanks very much to Catherine Mammano for this article!!!

Lime: True or False:

You dated and dumped Lene from Aqua because she partied too much? Bryan McFadden: (Protesting) No! I dated her for about a month and a half but I didn't dump her. It was a mutual agreement to split up. There was just too much on -- we're all over the world and we never get to see each other, so it was pointless, really.

You have the hots for Christina Aguilera and want to ask her out on a date? (Surprised) Christina? Well, I do think she's gorgeous! I met her before at a club and I think she's really nice. (Shyly) I wouldn't have the guts to ask her out, though!

You're always losing your passport! (Nodding) Yes! Always! The last time I lost it way when we were passing through Singapore airport on the way to Kuala Lumpur in July!

You once worked as security at Mc. Donald's and a bingo caller! Yep! I used to work in Mc. Donald's as well as do security! I also called numbers at a bingo hall. No, there's absolutely nothing about those jobs that I miss!

Your favorite actor is Leonardo Di Caprio and your favorite actress is Jennifer Love Hewitt! Yes,! Leonardo has great presence! I mean, I do like John Travolta as well, but Titanic just sold it for me - Leo was brilliant in that! And I love Jennifer Love Hewitt! I think she's a great actress -- she has a great personality on camera. And she's beautiful, too!

You attended the same drama school as Edel and Keavy B*Witched and Mikey Boyzone! Yeah! I only finished about two years ago, before I jointed Westlife. I've been in drama school for 13 to 14 years, practically my whole life! I loved it! It wasn't really an acting school, we just got to sing and dance a lot Although, I did act in an Irish TV series when I was 16-the twins and Sinead from B*Witched were on it, too!

Is it true you and Kian are the biggest party animals in the group? No! Not anymore. It's me and Mark now. Haha! Kian has quitted down quitted down a lot. But then, none of us go out anymore. I haven't Been out to a proper nightclub for three weeks now, which is a long time for me! Previously, a typical Saturday night would start with a trip to the local pub, where we'll stay a couple of hours, then we'll go on to a nightclub! After that, we drop by a local chipper to get a kebab and chips, then we go bowling at a 24-hour bowling centre, all 20 of us! When we finished with that, we finally got home, at about five or six o'clock in the morning!

Phew! And what's this about Westlife sharing the same stylist as the Spice Girls? Yes, that's true! His name is Kenny Ha and he's from Hong Kong. I think we are very well-styled but I wouldn't say we're the most stylish boyband around. We just try to dress as well as we can.

Ever feel like chucking out the Delce & Gabbana for some baggy cargoes, a loud Hawaiian shirt and a grugy goatee? (Horrified) No! We were never really like that!

Okay, How about this: Westlife are all really grumpy in the mornings. Fact or fallacy? (Brightly) I'm not! Me and Nicky are fine. Kian, Shane, Mark are really grumpy in the mornings. So we just act normal and try to cheer them up!

Is it true David Beckman was banned from Nicky's 21st birthday party in October by his manager? Yeah! He couldn't go to Nicky's birthday party 'cos he had a game in that weekend and he would have been fines his wages if he had gone!

Shame. We hear it was a huge affair and celebs like five, The Corrs, Robie Williams and Steps were there! There were almost 1,000 people there! They were all dressed up in '60's and '70s gear so I didn't even know who went! People actually came up to me afterwards, like Mikey from Boyzone, he came up to me and went, 'the Party was great, wasn't it?' And like, I didn't even know he was there! I left early too, 'cos I was really sick! It was great fun! Nicky dressed up as Elvis and the other four of us dressed up as the Beatles- I was Ringo!

Pash Spice's sister, Louise, is dating a Westlife member! (Good-naturedly) No, that's not true at all! When we heard that we were really surprised! She's a good friend of ours and we get on very well with her but she's not seeing any one of us! We always go out together so people just get the wrong idea! She's a really cool girl! Though!

Westlife have a habit of performing without any underwear on! (Chatling) Who told you that? Well...sometimes we co commando on stage, just for the fun of it! We did it in Italy, where the weather was really hot! And on our video shoot as well, for 'If I let you go'!

Westlife are all surgically attached to your mobile phone and call home at least once a day! False! Twice a day! Haha! (Matter-of-factly) My phone bill is £ 10,000 a month! The others are the same. I'm always calling my mom, and dad and all my friends. I'm always homesick!

Nicky has a bad habit of impersonating Ronan Keating! (Chuckling) Yeah, he does a really good impression of Ronan. Ronan likes to say, 'Everything all right? Everything cool?' and Nicky can so it really well! But he doesn't look that much like Ronan, I don't think.

Kian had long hair and played in a heavy metal band! Yeah! He used to be a rocker and was into Metallica and Megadeath and all that! He was in a rock band himself and would through his head about! (Demonstrates by flinging head about wildly) It was mad! He showed me pictures and videos of his old band and it was really funny! Haha! I used to be in a rock band as well, like Nirvana, and I had long hair too - I was a huge Kurt Cobain fan!

Mark is terrified of birds! Hahaha! Yeah! He's a freak! (Unsympathetically) I mean, how can anyone be afraid of birds? And Nick's afraid of lifts. It's silly!

Shanes favorite Spice Girl is Geri! (Hollers over to Shane) Shane! Is your fave Spice Girl still Geri? (Shane Confirms it's currently baby) It's Emma now, same as me!

There's a dodgy Internet rumor that says the Spice Girls are (giggle) actually Boyzone in disguise -- what do you reckon? (Tickled) Hurhurhur! I don't think so, we know both groups really well! But if it were true, I think Ronan would be Mel C, Keith would be Mel B, and Mike would be Geri, Stephen will be Emma and ... oh, who'd left? Shane will be Posh! Haha!

Finally, what's the biggest lie you've ever told the press? (Adamantly) I never lie to the press. It's the press that tells lies about me!

article © Lime Magazine

Westlife Uncovered

Hello! MagazineJanuary 9th 2001

A WHOLE YEAR AFTER HE PROPOSED. WESTLIFE'S BRYAN MCFADDEN AND ATOMIC KITTEN KERRY KATONA REVEAL THEIR SECRET ENGAGEMENT It's been pop's best-kept secret. Westlife heart-throb Bryan McFadden and Kerry Katona from feline threesome Atomic Kitten are to tie the knot. But the besotted couple, who plan to marry in July of next year, have only now decided to come out into the open about their romance.

"My record company doesn't have a clue we're announcing it," says Bryan, a strapping 6ft 2in to Kerry's petite 5ft 3in. "But it's about time we spoke for ourselves."

"Never mind our engagement," adds Kerry, who comes from Warrington, "even the romance itself was kept a secret until three or four months ago." "My record company and my manager and the band were totally against me coming out publicly about Kerry," says Bryan. "They thought it would damage Westlife's popularity, and then Kerry's people thought it would damage her popularity. If we were staying in a hotel, we wouldn't even open the door for room service. We worried that if they saw us, they'd tip off the papers."

The two madly in love 20-year-old stars have just celebrated the first anniversary of the rainy, windswept day on which Bryan popped the question at a lonely castle in Donegal. What's more, the romantic Irishman has proposed twice - the second time being last September - and his future bride proudly wears two engagement rings on her wedding finger to prove it. The lovers' decision to tell all comes at a time when Westlife, having notched up seven consecutive number one hits, and after winning six awards at December's Smash Hits Poll Winners Party, can rightly lay claim to the title of Britain's biggest pop act. The awards came just after the boys - Bryan, Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne - walked off with ITV's Record of the Year award for the second year running, with My Love. As for Kerry, Liz McClarnon and Natasha Hamilton of Atomic Kitten, who had Top 10 hits with Right Now and See Ya, they released their debut album, also called Right Now, two months ago.

Bryan and Kerry met up at London's glamorous Home House to talk exclusively to Hello! of their romance - and be pictured for their first-ever formal photo-shoot together.

LET'S BEGIN AT THE BEGINNING - HOW DID IT ALL START FOR THE TWO OF YOU?

Kerry: "We met in August 1999 when Westlife and Atomic Kitten were doing a Smash Hits tour together. The first time I ever saw Bryan and he asked me out I said no. I wasn't attracted to him." Bryan: "It's funny, all the guys in the band had asked her out, and so I knew she was going to say no because she'd said no to all the others."

WHAT IS YOUR FIRST ACTUAL MEMORY OF EACH OTHER?

Kerry: "He was standing outside a lift. He was in a black polo-neck and he had long floppy hair. I remember looking up really high at him, because he's so tall and I'm quite little." Bryan: "I heard the lift go ding, the doors opening and this girl in a bomber jacket and big woolly boots ran out. I heard her chatting and I turned round and she came up to me." Kerry: "Being dead cheeky, I went up to him and said, 'Hiya! I'm Kerry from Atomic Kitten and my mate Liz is a really big fan of Westlife. He kind of looked at me really weird."

HOW DID IT GO FROM THERE?

Kerry: Well, two weeks later, having got to know each other, we ended up having our first kiss. We were in the hotel having this conversation. Most guys would be pitching you with their eyes, but Bryan sat down and he listened. He was so funny, and he made me laugh. That was it. We had our first kiss - and then we lost touch." Bryan: "Even though we'd both had too much to drink, I knew the first time I kissed Kerry that there was something there. But the next day, sadly, she left with Atomic Kitten for Japan."

WHEN DID YOU MEET UP AGAIN?

Kerry: "In November. Our bands went on another tour and we just started seeing each other as friends. I was single and I wasn't looking for a relationship. I knew Bryan was with somebody else by this time. Even so, we were getting on really well, flirting with each other and everything. "Our bands then went to a party in Glasgow, but the girls in Atomic Kitten weren't allowed to be seen with any boys. I really liked Bryan but I thought: 'No, he's not interested in me because he's with somebody else.' "And then at one point during the party he said, 'I really like you.' I said, 'Well you've got a girlfriend - the ball's in your court.'" Bryan: "The girl I was with was nice, but I knew the minute I sat down and talked to Kerry that she was the one I wanted. I left the party straight after that and finished with my girlfriend." Kerry: "We then had our first proper dating kiss. I'll never forget it. It was November 27."

WHAT DID YOU BEGIN TO DISCOVER ABOUT EACH OTHER THAT YOU REALLY LIKED?

Bryan: "I thought she was wild, nuts, a real party animal. To be honest with you - and she's going to hate me for saying this - I thought she was going to be a dumb blonde. But then I sat and talked to her and realised how wrong I was, and how deep and intellectual she was, and is. Funny as well." Kerry: "I tend not to trust people, but I trusted Bryan from the start. I could tell he really loved me. He'd get to bed at two in the morning from filming, and he'd have to be up for five o'clock, but he'd walk from his hotel to my hotel just to see me for two hours, and he'd arrange a big breakfast for us. No boyfriend had ever done anything like that for me before." Bryan: "From the moment I saw Kerry, I really liked her. She was gorgeous, amazing looking, with these big brown eyes. The first time we kissed was when I fell in love with her."

AND WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT SHE WAS THE GIRL YOU WANTED TO MARRY?

Bryan: "It was one night in December after she'd done her back in. broke her coccyx." Kerry: "I was due to see the doctors in London and I was really nervous about it as I checked into the hotel. As I got there I could hardly walk. Bryan gave me these pyjamas, which he told me to change into after he'd given me a wash. He put me in bed and covered me up. It was then that we both knew we were meant for each other."

WERE YOU DYING TO INTRODUCE EACH OTHER TO YOUR RESPECTIVE PARENTS?

Kerry: "My mum and Bryan's mum and dad are chalk and cheese." Bryan: "I grew up in a totally normal middle-class background. We were straight out of The Partridge Family." Kerry: "My mum never had a proper family to love her. All her life she's had to defend herself. When I was born, my mum didn't know how to be a mum which is a godsend now because we are best mates and I love her more than anything in the world. I was brought up by various foster parents, and I got put into care at 13."

SO. WHEN YOU MET EACH OTHER'S PARENTS FOR THE FIRST TIME, WHAT HAPPENED?

Kerry: "The first time I met his parents really properly was on December 27, 1999, when I went over to Ireland to see in the New Year with Bryan. When I got to his house there were about 14 people there, this extended family of brothers, sisters, nieces and cousins, and I was so nervous, dead scared. His parents are lovely people and I just wanted them to like me. I was so much in love with Bryan that I didn't want anything to ruin what we had between us." Bryan: "I love Kerry's mum. She lives the life of a 20-year-old, goes to clubs, has a laugh, sits with the lads."

TELL US ABOUT HOW AND WHEN BRYAN PROPOSED.

Bryan: "The wheels were set in motion on Christmas Eve, 1999. I was on the phone to Kerry, and we were besotted with each other. I told Kerry that I definitely wanted to marry her. She said, 'I want to marry you.'" Kerry: "So I flew over to Ireland on December 27 and the next day we drove to Donegal, which is about four hours from Dublin, and eventually pulled up outside Doe Castle. "He took my hand and we climbed over this fence. He said, 'Do you know why I've brought you here?' I said, 'no.' He said, 'This is the spot where my granddad proposed to my nana.' He then got down on his knees, pulled out a ring and asked me to marry him. I said 'Yes!' "As soon as I could get to a phone I called my mum to tell her - but she already knew. Bryan had phoned her beforehand to ask her if he could marry me, which I thought was very nice."

TELL US ABOUT THE ENGAGEMENT RING

. Kerry: Well, it was ten times too big for my finger and we had to have it altered to fit me. It's more like a wedding ring, and it means more to me than the second ring."

WHEN WOULD YOU LIKE TO GET MARRIED?

Bryan: "We want a summer wedding, but it can't be this year because of the Westlife concerts: I don't want to take a day out of the tour to go and get married. It's going to take a long time to plan everything. We want to gave everybody there, then go on a honeymoon." Kerry: "We're not going to get married quickly just for the sake of it. It will be a fairytale white wedding in Ireland, hopefully at the castle where we got engaged. Everybody who loves me and Bryan will be there. It will be every girl's dream wedding, the biggest wedding I could ever imagine."

I HEAR YOU'RE HOUSE-HUNTING FOR THE MARITAL HOME.

Bryan: "Yes, we're just about to buy a £1million house in Ireland. We've got to work for that. Our dream house is the sort where there are huge gates to the property, with a long driveway leading to this massive mansion."

CAN YOU ENVISAGE THE DAY WHEN THERE'LL BE CHILDREN RUNNING AROUND THAT MANSION HOME?

Kerry: "Definitely, and we've already got names for them. Our first girl will be called Molly, because it's a really cute and girlie name, and our first little boy will be called Dylan James; James is Bryan's grandfather's name. Bryan adores kids, and so do I - before I entered pop music I wanted to be a nanny." Bryan: "Kerry's going to be a brilliant mum. Because she grew up with so many foster parents and stuff, and because she didn't have a proper childhood, she wants to make sure her kids have the best life possible."

BRYAN WAS ONCE ASKED TO DESCRIBE HIMSELF IN THREE WORDS AND HE SAID "FUNNY, SHY, IRISH". IS THAT A GOOD SUMMARY, KERRY?

"Yes, he's very funny, fairly shy, and very Irish. But it's not so much shyness as the fact that he's a gentleman. And he's very Irish in that, like every Irish person I've ever met, he's so genuine."

NOW IT'S YOUR TURN, KERRY, TO DESCRIBE YOURSELF IN THREE WORDS!

"Believe it or not, I can be shy, paranoid and insecure, so I don't know what Bryan thinks about that description." Bryan: "Can I describe her in three words? Generous, beautiful, tomboy. Her generosity is one of the qualities I admire her so much for. I used to think so many girls were beautiful - until I went out with Kerry, and now every woman pales in comparison. There's something in her eyes, just everything about her. In my eyes, she's pure perfection. And, of course, she's one of the lads. She'll come out with the five of us from Westlife and just fit in like a boy. She's got three personas: her stage persona, her tomboy persona. and her 'dead posh' persona when she talks to my mum!"

WHY DO YOU THINK YOU'RE SO GOOD FOR EACH OTHER?

Bryan: "Because we're both funny and make each other laugh." Kerry: "We're like a comedy act, a sort of Laurel and Hardy. Forget Posh and Becks, we're the best couple in the world!" Bryan: "But we don't want to be known as the new 'in' couple. The reason we're happy doing this interview is because we've never talked about our relationship before and we want to put on record the true story of how we feel about each other."

IF THE FAIRY GODMOTHER IN PANTO COULD GRANT YOU ONE WISH, WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE IT TO BE?

Bryan: "That I'll die before Kerry. If I ever lost her. well, I just can't imagine life without her. She is my life, fullstop. Everything I plan, everything I do, revolves around Kerry. When I wake up in the morning, she's the first person I call. "I've written a song about her called Fragile Heart. I write songs for Kerry every day; I get so much emotion thinking about her." Kerry: "He'll come home and say, 'I've written this song today,' and it's been inspired by me. I've lost count of how many songs he's written about me. "I don't want to wish my life away, but my wish is that we succeed in buying the house of our dreams and that Bryan and I have two lovely children. I'll have a proper husband, and we'll be a proper family. We lead a fantastic life but, when we go home, we want our life together to be as normal as possible." Bryan: "Next year we'll be a lot more 'normal'. We'll be Mr and Mrs McFadden." Kerry: "Yeah, that'll be great. I can't wait!"

'M THE LUCKIEST GUY IN THE WORLD!"

Lime Magazine May 2001

You sure are, Mr McFadden! When you're a handsome pop millionaire with a gorgeous girlfriend and a bouncy baby on the way, 'Life sure is good! Sarah Lee gives Bryan a tinkle and gets plenty of soundbites about Kerry's chicken cravings and getting free Armani threads!

LIME: Hi, Bryan! What's up with Westlife these days?

Bryan: (Cheerfully) We've been on tour in the UK, Ireland and Greece. We haven't had any time off! (Excitedly) Since ny last trip to Asia, I've cut my hair shorter and grown taller! Hoho! Nicky's changed his hairstyle too, while Mark's shaved off all his hair!

LIME: You'll be in Singapore and Malaysia for concerts this month! What can we expect from your gigs?

Bryan: It's going to be really good! We have done some showcases in Singapore and Malaysia before but they were very low-key concerts. This time, we'll have a live band!

LIME: Recently, four A1 fans tragically died in a stampede at a meet-and-greet session in Jakarta. What do you reckon pop stars can do to prevent such accidents?

Bryan: (Solemnly) It's hard because kids push one another during concerts. Perhaps, in future concerts, we should make sure everyone's seated in the arena instead of having people being crushed in the 'standing' sections.

LIME: After 'Against All Odds' was released, you said you weren't going to do any more covers. Why did you decide to do 'I'll Be There', 'My Girl' and your latest hit, 'Uptown Girl'?

Bryan: 'I'll Be There' and 'My Girl' was recorded for a TV show tribute to Motown. The response was really amazing and people were asking if we would put them on our records. So we decided to release them as singles on our Christmas album! And 'Uptown Girl' is a charity single for the homeless.

LIME: Say, we hear you got into trouble for staring at Mariah Carey's boobs during the video shhot for 'Against All Odds'! Were you better behaved with Claudia Schiffer during 'Uptown Girl'?

Bryan: (Embarrased) Erm... yes, I was better behaved with Claudia! Anyway, I didn't stare at Mariah's boobs ! (Indignant) They edited the vid and played it forward and backwards, which made it look like I was staring at her boobs! (Gets heated up) I only glanced at them. If you look at the video properly, I was actually staring at her legs!

LIME: You were dressed in handsome designer threads by Armani for the 'Uptown Girl' video. Did you get to keep any of the clothes?

Bryan: (Happily) Yes, kept all of it!

LIME: What's more painful for you: 'Upton Girl' being bumped off the No. 1 spot by Brit newcomers Hear'Say, or Irish rockers Ash burning up 300 Westlife CDs?

Bryan: (Nonchalantly) Neither! I don't care about that! In fact, I wanna thank Ash because they bought 300 Westlife CDs! It's always these trashy bands like Ash who are trying to buy publicity off us.

LIME: Congrats! Your baby's due in September! How's Kerry doing? Is she starting to get weird cravings?

Bryan: (Brightens up) Kerry's doing great! She's got a huge belly now! She lurrvves chicken! We don't know if it's a boy or girl, but we don't want to find out!

LIME: Do you think you are too young to be a pa?

Bryan: No, I don't think so! There's no problem at all because we are so ready for marriage and our future.

LIME: Would you let your kid join a band like Westlife someday?

Bryan: I don't know. It's too early to see. I suppose it depends on my child. If he wants to, it'll be great!

LIME: You recently signed on with an Irish soccer club. Does that mean you'll be too busy for Westlife?

Bryan: It's actually a local Irish club. I haven't played football for months, I only play it during my time off!

LIME: Is it true you'll be launching a solo career this year?

Bryan: (amused) No! Are you talking about a solo album? I'm not releasing any. And, no, Westlife is not breaking up!

LIME: You've been in the news for slamming Christina Aguilera, Mel C and Steps! Aren't you afraid they'll stick pins in your Westlife doll?

Bryan: I've never slammed Mel C! I like Mel C! I don't like Christina and Steps though, so I don't care if they stick pins in my doll!

LIME: You're rich, part off the biggest band in Europe, have a beautiful girlfriend and an upcoming baby. Do you reckon you're the luckiest man in the world?

Bryan: (Chuckles) Yes, definitely! I'm the luckiest guy in the world.

Bryan on Molly

The Sun, 4th September 2001 thanks very much to Rockypart@btopenworld.com for this article!!!

BRYAN McFADDEN has spoken for the first time of his joy - and tears - at becoming a father. Moments after leaving hospital with fiancŽe Kerry Katona and new daughter Molly, he told me: "It's one of the greatest feelings I've ever had in my life." The Westlife hunk revealed that he blubbed like a baby when Molly arrived last Friday night.

Bryan, 21, said: "I've always wanted to have children but didn't think I'd be a father so soon. You only realise what it's all about when the baby finally arrives. All I was worried about was that the baby would be healthy, whichever sex it would be. Now I am just so proud that Molly is not only a healthy baby but also very, very beautiful. I could not be happier. Myself and Kerry feel so lucky. I broke down and cried when Molly finally arrived and I held her little body in my arms.

She has Kerry's blonde hair and she's already shown she has a great pair of lungs." Bryan, who has been dating ex-Atomic Kitten singer Kerry, 20, since July last year, added: "I'm taking a few weeks off to help now. I don't want to do anything other than be around Kerry and Molly."

The baby was born after 18 hours' labour at Dublin's Mount Carmel Hospital. Bryan said: "Poor Kerry. Labour seemed to go on forever. She was great but I was a bundle of nerves."