I
Dodged Maniacs At Mac's
Lucky escape ... heart-throb Bryan had a bottle hurled at him by drunk
EXCLUSIVE
WESTLIFE hunk Bryan McFadden has revealed how he cheated death while working as a security
guard at a McDonald's in Dublin.
He talks about his terrifying experience in Day Two of our exclusive series about the
chart-topping boy band by RAV SINGH. And he reveals how he is still looking for love despite
dating some of the most attractive women in the world of pop.
We also learn about Nicky Byrne's love for his long-term girlfriend and hear of Mark Feehily's
deeply-held religious beliefs.
Kian Egan tells of his solo and future plans for the band, while Shane Filan reveals how unlucky he is
in love and how he spends more time with his beloved horses.
Banding together ... the Irish fivesome reveal some of their stories
B R Y A N
BEEFY Bryan McFadden needed a part-time job to help make ends meet when he first joined Westlife - but it nearly cost him his life.
The 6ft 2in singer was working as a security guard at McDonald's in Dublin when he was confronted
by five drunken men. Bryan, who was 17 at the time, says: "It was late at night and we wouldn't
let them in because they were all drunk.
"When they tried to force the door open I grabbed one of them by the neck.
"With that one of the other guys smashed a bottle and threw it at me.
"It hit the wall next to my head. I had a very lucky escape."
It was one of several scary incidents that Bryan, now 19, encountered while doing part-time work
in the early days of the band. He says: "I needed the money because I was just starting off in
Westlife.
"I needed a job where I could have the day free for the band, so the McDonald's job was ideal.
"I used to work there from six in the evening until four in the morning.
"My folks were wary of me working there. They had every right to be as a few times I nearly got
killed. I got bottles on the head. I also used to work at Dublin's ILAC shopping centre during the
day and it got robbed a few times. The raiders would run in and rob a till. I once chased some of
them but I lost my nerve.
"I hate violence. Even at school I never got into any fights. I never started on anyone. I can
defend myself, but I don't like fighting."
But the scary times have now all changed for Bryan.
Westlife's string of chart hits and massive commercial successes have brought Bryan and
the other members great wealth.
And the money and fame has brought him other benefits too - such as dating two fellow pop
singers.
Bryan says: "I did go out with Lene Nystrom from Aqua but that's finished now. It was only a couple
of dates over a couple of weeks.
"Then I went out with Kerry from Atomic Kitten. Although we've split, we are still good mates.
We've known Atomic Kitten for a long time and we share the same hotels when we're on tour.
"We always have a drink and a laugh.
"Apart from that there is nothing definite . . . but I'm still looking!"
M A R K
Faith ... Mark prays each day
MARK has an unusual lifestyle for a pop star - he is deeply religious and often goes to Mass.
The 19-year-old says: "I pray every night without fail. I think it's very important.
"I was brought up in a Catholic family and I went to Mass every Sunday with my parents and we
prayed in school.
"It disappoints me that many young people have stopped going to Mass.
"I am glad my parents took me each Sunday. I spend a lot of time outside Ireland now but in
places like London it's hard to find a Catholic church.
"I'm sure there are loads but how do I find them?
"I was never tempted to become a priest. I don't think that would be my sort of life.
"I always wanted to get married and I wanted to have girlfriends.
"I think priests should be allowed to get married because there would be a lot more priests if that
was the case."
S H A N E
Dreams ... Shane's searching
LOVELORN Shane spends most of his time, when he is not touring, with his family's horses . . .
dreaming of one day meeting a "normal" girl.
He says: "Romance is bad at the moment. It's getting on my nerves a bit.
"It hasn't been good for me lately and I spent Valentine's Day with my mum and dad.
"Hopefully I'll find someone soon. We meet a lot of celebrities but I shy away from getting close to
famous girls.
"I'd rather just meet a normal girl who isn't in the limelight all the time. You've just got to keep on
trying. I think Nicky is very lucky having a girlfriend.
"But I don't know if I would be able to start a relationship and be away from somebody for that
long.
"Nicky and Georgina have got a foundation of five years and they're getting on great."
In the meantime, Shane, 20, has his own stable relationship - with the horses.
Shane says: "I've been into horses all my life. I've loads of trophies for show-jumping."
K I A N
Hign hopes ... Kian has plans
AMBITIOUS Kian, 19, wants Westlife to become the biggest boy band of all time.
He says: "I want to kick Backstreet Boys a***s!
"They have sold 37million albums worldwide and I want to sell 60million.
"We're aiming for the highest heights. We want to be the male Spice Girls."
If he realises his dreams, Kian knows exactly how he will spend the resulting riches.
He says: "I would like to live in Sydney for a while. It's beautiful. I'd like to explore for a bit,
too.
"God, what I have accomplished for a 19-year-old is a hell of a lot, one hell of a lot.
"I'd also like to do a bit of acting when all this finishes.
"I'd love to move on. Whatever the band's life is, nobody can say.
"It could be five years, we could do a Bee Gees on it, you never know.
"I'd like to do TV presenting. We've presented TV four times now. I really like that, I think it's
great."
N I C K Y
Envied ... grateful Nicky
LUCKY Nicky has been dating Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern's daughter Georgina since he was 16.
Nicky, now 21, reveals: "It's funny being the only one in the band in a stable relationship.
"The rest of the lads look at me and I think they envy me in a way.
"When you're on the road it does get very, very hard.
"You need somebody to talk to and chill out with at night, to wind down. Georgina has always been
there for me, such as when I came back from Leeds knowing I had missed my chance of being a
professional footballer."
Nicky had trials with several Premiership clubs but missed out on being taken on full time.
He says: "When we're on tour or anything, I can ring Georgina and have a good old chat.
"Thankfully, the fans seemed to have accepted her. We like to spend quality time together -
although I always seem to be away for her birthday!"