Westlife star Mark Feehily reveals he is QUITTING the band as they prepare to embark on first ever US tour: ‘I wish things could be different’

Westlife star Mark Feehily has announced his temporary departure from the Irish boyband, just days before they were set to embark on their first ever tour of America.

Feehily enjoyed enormous commercial success across the United Kingdom, Ireland and mainland Europe with bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Brian McFadden and Nicky Byrne following their formation in 1998.

But prolonged ill-health and has resulted in the singer, 43, withdrawing from the band in a bid to recover after being diagnosed with sepsis.

Taking to Instagram, he wrote: ‘Hello and much love to you all! It’s Mark here.. Most of you are aware that I have had some health challenges over the past while.

‘It actually all started 3.5 years ago in August 2020 when I had surgery. Within a few days of this surgery I was in severe pain and was rushed into A&E.

‘I eventually ended that awful day in ICU (Intensive Care Unit) where I was informed that due to a complication with the surgery, I had developed severe ‘Sepsis’, a life-threatening infection that would require immediate emergency surgery to rectify the problem and basically save my life.’

He added: ‘I spent the next few months in hospital. It was during lockdown. For months, due to strict Covid restrictions, I was not allowed any visitors including my fiance and my then 10-month-old daughter.

‘It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.’

‘In late 2021, I became very ill in Newcastle before a concert and ended up back in A&E, this time being told I had pneumonia. I was told I had to go straight home to recover and regrettably miss the rest of the concerts that December.

‘I was referred to a consultant who told me I needed more surgery which I went ahead with in May 2022 meaning I was forced to miss more of The Wild Dreams tour.

‘Three months after that surgery, I tried my best to soldier on for you guys and to go back on tour but unfortunately the physical demands of the concerts and extensive travel were proving too much for me.

‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option.’

‘I developed a very large ‘incisional hernia’ and I was told that I needed further surgery to fix it. This would be my fourth major surgery since the start of it all, but I had no option.’

WHAT IS SEPSIS?

Sepsis occurs when the body reacts to an infection by attacking its own organs and tissues.

Some 44,000 people die from sepsis every year in the UK. Worldwide, someone dies from the condition every 3.5 seconds.

Sepsis has similar symptoms to flu, gastroenteritis and a chest infection.

These include:

Slurred speech or confusion
Extreme shivering or muscle pain
Passing no urine in a day
Severe breathlessness
It feels like you are dying
Skin mottled or discoloured

Symptoms in children are:

Fast breathing
Fits or convulsions
Mottled, bluish or pale skin
Rashes that do not fade when pressed
Lethargy
Feeling abnormally cold

Under fives may be vomiting repeatedly, not feeding or not urinating for 12 hours.

Anyone can develop sepsis but it is most common in people who have recently had surgery, have a urinary catheter or have stayed in hospital for a long time.

Other at-risk people include those with weak immune systems, chemotherapy patients, pregnant women, the elderly and the very young.

Treatment varies depending on the site of the infection but involves antibiotics, IV fluids and oxygen, if necessary.

Source: UK Sepsis Trust and NHS Choices

 

Confirming his temporary hiatus from the band, he wrote: ‘It is with the upmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time ote: that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual.

‘Believe me, I wish things could be different! I would like to thank you so very much for your support and understanding of me and my health over the past few years.’

Sepsis is a life-threatening condition caused when the body releases chemicals to fight an infection.

These chemicals damage the body’s own tissues and organs and can lead to shock, organ failure and death.

Organ failure and death are more likely if sepsis is not recognised early and treated immediately.

Mark’s exit from the group comes after a string of health woes in recent years, with the singer forced to drop out of Westlife’s summer shows back in May.

He revealed to his fans online that he had been given strict orders by his doctor to rest after having surgery.

Mark wrote: ‘Hey lovely people, it’s Mark here. This summer, our Wild Dreams tour continues and we are so blessed for the huge love and support we receive from our fans worldwide. We have five shows taking place this summer from May – July.

‘And it is with deep regret that I will not be able to join Shane, Kian and Nicky on stage for those shows.’

Mark explained: ‘This week I have to undergo a little bit of surgery.

‘There is nothing to worry about I promise, but under doctor’s orders this surgery needs to happen sooner rather than later and will also require some recovery time throughout the summer.

‘To all our amazing fans in Denmark, Sweden, Mexico, Cardiff and Henley, I want you to know that I was very excited to see you all and perform but this is something that can’t be avoided and I know that you will all still have the time of your lives at what will be some amazing shows!

‘I’ll be there with you all in spirit and very much look forward to getting back on stage with the lads very soon!

‘Much love to you all and keep in touch – I’ll still be around to say hi. YOU’LL BE MISSED’

His band mate Nicky Byrne showed  support by leaving strong arm and heart emojis in the comments section underneath the caption.

Mark had also previously overcome a battle with pneumonia which forced him to take time away from work, before getting the all-clear in January 2023.

Sharing a clip of himself grinning at the camera, Markus wrote: ‘Hey all, great news… I’ll be FLYING WITHOUT WINGS once more! Finally the doctor has said that I can start getting myself back to normal.

‘I was in his waiting room earlier worried he was going to tell me, “no you’re still not right” but he was very happy with how I am doing.’

Mark said he has struggled over the last few weeks since he was forced to pull out of a Westlife show in Manchester back in November.

He said: ‘I have so much thanks to give. I won’t lie, although there are lots of people much worse off than me, the past 6 weeks have been very difficult.

‘Weirdly the most difficult thing was not being ill (that wasn’t easy either!) it was having no choice but to sit back and watch my own band be on tour without me and miss all of the shared moments of joy and happiness with the other lads onstage and of course the interaction with the audiences and fans.

‘@ShaneFilanOfficial, @NickyByrneInsta and @KianEgan you three legends, you lads re-choreographed and re-arranged the entire show with about 1hrs notice that evening in Newcastle when I had to make the horrible phone call to tell you I couldn’t do the show…

‘The way you handled it shows how talented and professional you 3 are! You kept the @westlife flag flying for the rest of December and I’m so grateful for that. Love ❤️’.

Mark had been performing around the world with Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne on The Wild Dreams Tour, which is set to conclude in Brazil in March.

Their tour hasn’t been without peril, with Nicky falling through the stage at their Glasgow gig, leaving him with red raw bruises.

Mark urged fans not to worry as he informed them of his pneumonia diagnosis, stating although it was ‘scary’ to hear ‘everything is currently under control.’

He penned: ‘Firstly, I’d like to say a sincere thank you to everybody for sending their love and get well soon messages – it means so much.

‘I really was gutted to miss the weekend shows in Newcastle but I started to feel quite unwell on Friday and the doctors have confirmed that it is a bout of pneumonia.’

Mark continued: ‘I know it’s scary when you first hear the word ‘pneumonia’, but thankfully, I got to the doctor and the hospital very quickly and got on the antibiotics as soon as possible. So everything is currently under control.

‘I have been informed that the quickest way to recovery is to rest and continue the antibiotics. I’m feeling a bit better every day. The nurses and doctors are taking amazing care of me, so it should all be over in no time.

The singer paid an emotional tribute to his teenage twin boys

Nicky Byrne shares rare snap of twin sons on their 15th birthday (Image: Instagram/nickybyrne)

Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has shared a rare snap of his twin sons on their birthday.

The star posed with his teenage sons during a trip to Old Trafford. The Dancing with the Stars presenter treated them to seeing Manchester United in action recently.

Alongside the snap with Jay Rocco, Nicky paid tribute to the men they are becoming as they grow up in a touching post.

He said: “Our Boys turn 15 today!

“Becoming fine young men before our very eyes. Happy Birthday lads. Love always.”

In the image, the trio can be seen holding up a Manchester United flag while standing on the sideline in front of the famous pitch in North England. They took in the sights and sounds of the 76,000 capacity stadium after the rest of the fans left.

Opening up about home life, Nicky told RSVP Live: “Jay and Rocco missed out on the last three months of primary school and they missed their confirmation.

“Their confirmation was postponed to September 2020 but then Dublin was put back into lockdown again so it was cancelled once more.”

He added: “They have completed first year, behind the mask, and now they are heading into second year with no confirmation having been made.”

The M18 Hellcat Tank Destroyer

Even before Nazi Germany’s declaration of war on America on 11 December 1941, the U.S. Army was coming to terms with the need to adapt its arsenal and operational doctrines to the evolving European battlefield.  Having witnessed the rapid advances of armored and mechanized forces in the German Blitzkrieg across Poland, the Low Countries, and France, War Department planners, including the future commander of Army Ground Forces (AGF), Lesley J. McNair, set out to amend a strategy based around static and localized anti-armor defense beginning in the latter stages of 1940. Within a year, the conclusion that mobile, massed anti-armor operations should be employed to counter armored attacks had been adopted after doctrinal endorsement from Army Chief of Staff General George C. Marshall.  However, as German panzers tracked further into Eastern Europe, refinement of the tactics and development of the vehicles with which to blunt the new method of warfare still lagged.  Despite flaws in its doctrine and weapons developed to counter the panzer threat, the Army was well on its way toward developing its Tank Destroyer Force and several tank destroyer systems, including the M18 Hellcat, by the time the United States entered World War II.

During training in the United States, soldiers serving in tank destroyer units were authorized to wear the Tank Destroyer Forces shoulder sleeve insignia. (Courtesy of David A. Kaufman)

The origin of the M18 dates to these first few weeks before the United States’ entry into World War II, when, on 27 November, Lieutenant Colonel Andrew D. Bruce assumed command of the Tank Destroyer Tactical and  Firing Center at Fort Meade, Maryland.  Bruce, a respected planner from the War Department’s G-3 section, immediately set out to develop a vehicle fast enough to maneuver around the flanks of enemy columns to attack from the rear, and with enough killing power to distinguish it from the infantry support oriented tanks like the M4 Sherman.

The solution was the Gun Motor Carriage (GMC), although the first few models developed by the Army were anything but effective.

The M6 design, which featured a 37mm anti-tank gun attached to a modified light truck, was woefully ineffective during initial use in the North African campaign, as was the M3, a half-track armed with a low-velocity 75mm gun.  Needing a rugged but fast moving vehicle to close with enemy armored attacks from the likes of the Panzer III and Panzer IV, the AGF Board moved to standardize the M10 Wolverine tank destroyer, armed with a 3-inch gun, by the spring of 1943.

The M10, based on the M4 Sherman chassis, was a reliable fighting vehicle to match the medium German panzers in the deserts of North Africa, but it was not the long-term solution Bruce had in mind.  Favoring a vehicle with greater speed, cost effectiveness, and mobility, while at the same time not sacrificing firepower, Bruce secured the test models for his ideal panzer hunter with the T70 prototype.  Capable of top road speeds in excess of fifty miles per hour, the twenty-ton, second generation tank destroyer packed a high-velocity 76mm main gun with the same stopping power as the M10’s 3-inch gun.  By June 1943, Buick was already rushing T70 models into production, and by the time the M18 was standardized in March 1944, the nickname “Hellcat” was already being used for promotional purposes.

The M18’s service in combat began as it was still being standardized, with five of the new T70 models being sent to the Italian campaign that same spring.  Three of these vehicles were deployed in the reconnaissance company of the 894th Tank Destroyer Battalion, participating in breakthrough operations at Anzio in late May.  While deployed in Italy, initial use of the T70 revealed design flaws which would come to limit the M18’s usefulness as a tank killer later in the drive across Europe.

The Hellcat’s speed and ability to get into firing position were admired by M18 crews, but the lack of killing power of the 76mm gun and minimal protection offered to the crew made commanders tread carefully in converting whole battalions over from the M10.  With only thirteen millimeters on the front hull, the M18’s armor was less than that of the M8 armored car, and much less than the two inches of frontal armor on the M4A1 Sherman or 1.5-inch armor plate on the M10.  Likewise, the awkward interior layout of the M18’s turret made reloading the main gun cumbersome and slow in combat situations.  The introduction of heavier German tanks, such as the Mk V Panther and Mk VI Tiger, presented additional problems.

These concerns were fresh in the minds of those in Lieutenant General Omar Bradley’s staff during the lead-up to Operation Overlord, so much so that the First Army commander resisted the option of converting tank destroyer battalions under his command to the M18.  Of the nineteen tank destroyer battalions allocated for the invasion of France, only three would be equipped with the Hellcat prior to landing in Normandy.  The 603d, 704th, and 705th of Lieutenant General George S. Patton’s Third Army all came ashore in Normandy by late July 1944.

M18 crewmen from the 603d Tank Destroyer Battalion relax around their vehicle in Marnach, Luxembourg, 21 February 1945. (National Archives)

 

Like all self-propelled tank destroyer battalions, those fitted with the M18 were composed of a headquarters company, reconnaissance company, three gun companies, and a medical detachment.  As defined by revised Field Manual (FM) 18-5 issued in July 1944, the three gun companies each contained three platoons of four guns, giving the entire battalion a total of thirty-six tank destroyers.  While FM 18-5 called for an aggressive spirit of action aimed against the flanks of advancing enemy armored formations with the entire battalion force, the initial breakout from Normandy during Operation COBRA saw the M18 serving less as a tank hunter and more in convoy protection and infantry support roles.  Due at least somewhat to a lack of a concerted German panzer counteroffensive immediately after D-Day, the delay in the M18’s meeting with the Panther and Tiger tanks of the Wehrmacht may have been for the best.  While ordnance tests back in the States concluded the 76mm gun could pierce the frontal armor of a Tiger at ranges up to 2,000 yards, the tests were marred by flaws which underscored the overmatched firepower of the M18.  In truth, M18 crews quickly learned that frontal fire at ranges beyond 300 yards would have little effect on the heavy German tanks; at the same time, the Hellcat provided no protection against the high velocity 75mm and 88mm guns of the Panther and Tiger, respectively.

Outgunned as they were, Hellcat crews managed to destroy a significant number of enemy tanks, and were effective in blunting German panzer attacks when given the opportunity.  As was the case of many U.S. armored fighting vehicles during the war in Europe, Hellcat crews proved adept at developing new tactics when taking on German tanks by learning the strengths and weaknesses of the M18 in combat situations.  In addition to using the Hellcats’ speed to get into position to fire on the flanks of German tanks, Hellcat crews learned that a well placed shot between the mantlet and the glacis plate of a Panther would cause the shell to ricochet into the driving compartment, killing the crew or disabling the tank.

A number of panzers were knocked out by these means when Hitler finally ordered an armored counteroffensive against Patton’s Third Army in September 1944.  On 19 September, Company C , 704th Tank Destroyer Battalion, attached to the 4th Armored Division’s Combat Command A, helped defend the town of Arracourt when attacked by elements of the 113th Panzer Brigade.  Taking advantage of the fog to sneak up on the more heavily armed and armored Panthers, four Hellcats engaged a company of tanks from the 113th around Bezange-la-Petite, firing from a slight depression and knocking out seven Panthers before dawn.  Later in the day, the 113th pressed its attack in the direction of Réchicourt -la-Petite, but was met once again by Company C, which blunted an assault on 4th Armored Division’s command post.  Under the fearless direction of Captain Tom Evans, the lead platoon of Company C served as an attractive target for the German tanks, which failed to notice the other two platoons of Hellcats advancing on their flanks.  In the shooting that followed, the three platoons of Company C knocked out four German tanks before pulling pack, only to give chase once the German panzers and panzer grenadiers retreated.  Evans himself manned the gun of a disabled M18 and was able to knock out two panzers, earning the Distinguished Service Cross in the process.  By the end of the day, nineteen German tanks lay burning at the hands of the Hellcats.  When the fighting ended a few days later, the victorious American Hellcats accounted for thirty-nine panzers destroyed or disabled.  The fact that only seven Hellcats were destroyed or disabled speaks not only to the tactical flaws of German armor advancing without proper reconnaissance, but also to the proficiency and adaptability of the M18 crews.

Despite the Hellcat’s success around Arracourt, units equipped with M18s continued to engage in what FM 18-5 described as “secondary missions.”  As a result, the M18 was typically deployed in company size strength amidst infantry and combined combat elements.  Serving as an infantry support weapon and used extensively in clearing pillboxes and fortified enemy positions within towns, the M18, like the M10 before it, was seldom ever concentrated in the massed battalion formation designed for anti-armor operations.  While effective in these secondary operations, the new role of the M18 came at a cost.  Complaints about the open turret configuration and exposed .50 caliber machine gun were common, while the lack of a coaxial machine gun afforded little protection to the exposed heads of the tank driver and assistant driver.  Far too often, M18 crews were forced to use their 76mm cannon against enemy infantry targets, depleting crucial ammunition for use in anti-armor purposes.  Along with the light armor and lack of penetration power of the main gun, these flaws remained enduring weaknesses of the M18 and underscored the contradictory nature of tank destroyer doctrine.
Today, M18s can be found around the world in museums and private collections. The M18 shown here was photographed at the Museum of the American GI’s 2007 open house in College Station, Texas . (Museum of the American GI)
The Hellcat would have one more opportunity to prove itself against the heavy panzers of the Wehrmacht when the Germans launched their last-ditch offensive through the Ardennes in December 1944. The M18s of the 705th were integral in the defense of Bastogne.  When the 15th Panzer Division attacked positions held by the 101st Airborne Division on Christmas Day, the 705th and its M18s helped hold the Germans at bay.  On that day, M18s were credited with destroying  twenty-seven German tanks, with only six M18s lost.

Fighting in the Ardennes convinced the Army of the need to reequip its towed tank destroyer battalions in favor of self-propelled systems like the M18.   Although by 1945, the preference was to reequip units with the newer M36, which packed a 90mm gun capable of destroying a Panther at longer ranges than the 76mm gun of the M18.  Despite the preference for the M36, a number of units converted from the M10 to the M18.

A handful of tank destroyer battalions saw action halfway around the world against the Japanese.  Three tank destroyer battalions deployed to the Pacific Theater were equipped with the M18, with one, the 637th, earning the Presidential Unit Citation for its role in clearing Fort McKinley’s emplaced guns during fierce fighting for Manila at the beginning of 1945.  Like in Europe, however, tactical use of M18s in the Pacific deviated from the original tank destroyer concept, with the Hellcat used more in infantry support and bunker-busting operations.

 

An M18 from the 603d Tank Destroyer Battalion, Combat Command B, 6th Armored Division, guards an intersection in Luneville, France, 22 September 1944. (National Archives)

The majority of Hellcats may have been used like their cousin the Sherman, but unlike the venerable M4, the Hellcat did not undergo substantial changes throughout the war, although designers did experiment with variants and mission-specific designs.  Even before the T70 had been standardized as the M18, the 76mm GMC was already serving as a prototype for an amphibious version that would eventually be designated the T-86.  Other experiments included an attempt in the autumn of 1944 to adopt the design for use as a self-propelled howitzer, but this and other tests were abandoned with the ending of World War II. In fact, the only variant to catch on would be the M39 Armored Utility Vehicle.  Utilizing the M18 chassis and doing away with the turret, the M39 was designed and built in limited quantities for use as a command and control vehicle, as well as a prime mover and armored personnel carrier.  Between October 1944 and March 1945, 640 M18s earmarked for production were modified for this purpose.  Very few reached the field in time for the war, but some saw action in Korea.

By numbers alone, the M18 might have claimed success as a tank destroyer.  Distinguished units like the 603d and 704th Tank Destroyer Battalions each reported to have destroyed upwards of ninety enemy armored fighting vehicles during the war in Europe, and lessons from the fighting around Arracourt and Bastogne point to the M18’s important role in blunting panzer attacks.  Like its fellow tank destroyer the M10, the M18 suffered from flaws in a doctrine that was never fully defined.  The fastest armored fighting vehicle employed by any side during the war, the M18 nevertheless suffered from a main gun that lacked the ability to consistently serve its main purpose—killing German tanks.  Exposed to battlefield conditions which almost never resembled the feared blitzkrieg that spawned tank destroyer doctrine and development in the first place, the M18 was used more as a tank, and a lightly armored one at that.  Nevertheless, in a war won through the training and adaptability of U.S. service members, the M18 proved it could fill a variety of tasks on the battlefield, and lives on as one of the vehicles used in the Allies’ victory in World War II.

From messy divorces to fall outs with Louis Walsh, here’s what came next for Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gatley, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch

Formed in 1993 by X Factor judge Louis Walsh, Boyzone were intended to be Ireland’s answer to Take That.

But their appeal went global, with Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch selling more than 25 million records worldwide by 2013.

The No Matter What singers went their separate ways in 1999 before reuniting in 2007 and then splitting for good after their 25th anniversary in 2018.

But what have the boys been up to since? From messy divorces, feuds and fall outs to soap careers, splinter groups and the heartbreaking tragedy that bonded them forever, here’s what came next for the second biggest band in Britain…

Stephen Gately

Boyzone’s Ronan Keating, Keith Duffy, Stephen Gatley, Mikey Graham and Shane Lynch found formed the band in 1993 (Image: Getty Images)

Boyzone had just reunited and finished their Back Again… No Matter What Tour when Stephen tragically died in October 2009.

He and his partner, internet tycoon Andrew Cowles, had just arrived at their £1million apartment in the upmarket Majorca resort of Port d’Andratx, for a month-long working holiday.

On the evening of Saturday, October 9, 2009, they headed out for dinner and drinks in the nearby city of Palma.

The next afternoon, Stephen was found dead on the sofa.

He had suffered ‘acute’ pulmonary oedema – or fluid on the lungs – caused by an undiagnosed heart condition.

The pathology report confirmed his death was not related to drink or drugs and he’d been on good form in the days before, with his widower telling The Mirror, “I do get some comfort from knowing how happy he was that day.

“The night he died, we’d had such a good time, a lovely evening in our favourite restaurant. He was the most happy and confident he’d been in his life.”

Stephen’s bandmates were distraught over his tragic death (Image: Getty Images)
His distraught bandmates immediately flew to Majorca to bring Stephen’s body back.

And when his devastated mum fretted that her son didn’t “like to be alone”, his ‘brothers’ decided to hold an overnight vigil before the funeral at St Laurence O’Toole Roman Catholic church, spending the night in sleeping bags the floor next to the 33-year-old’s coffin.

“We cried and we laughed and we could hear him telling us jokes and we could hear him answering back…” Ronan later said. “It was a beautiful, amazing experience to be there with Steo that night.”

Keith Duffy

Keith Duffy joined the cast of Coronation Street (Image: PA)
Like his bandmates, Keith, 46, was deeply affected by the loss of Stephen. And when they were tasked with choosing a coffin, he described it as the, “hardest thing that any of us have had to do in our lives.”

“This was something that was going to be the last thing that your friend is going to lie in,” he added.

But once the funeral was over, it was then that the true horror of the situation began to take its cruel toll.

For Keith, his grief took the form of chilling nightmares – so terrifying that he didn’t dare go to sleep.

“I was distraught – I felt anger, disbelief, I cried a lot and had terrible nightmares,” he previously told Closer magazine.

“In the first few weeks they were terrifying. I couldn’t breathe, I’d go light-headed and it was incredibly frightening.”

For years he struggled to understand the loss and tried to “knock himself out” with alcohol.

And when the band hit the road just two years later with their grief still raw, he said it ended in disaster.

Keith Duffy and Brian McFadden now perform together as Boyzlife
“He died in 2009 and we were back on the road in 2011, two years later – which was way too soon. Way too soon,” Keith told The Express.

“Emotionally and psychologically… I’ll be very honest, myself and Shane were drinking too much, trying to numb the pain, onstage and offstage.

“It just didn’t work, and it wasn’t enjoyable. We didn’t want to be together. That’s when we took a sabbatical.”

After Boyzone split, Keith joined Coronation Street as barman Ciaran McCarthy and also starred as John the security guard in 2014’s Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie.

He married wife Lisa in Las Vegas in 1998, with Ronan by his side as best man, and they have two children – Jay, 24, and Mia, 21.

As well as working the reality circuit with appearances on Celebrity Big Brother and Splash, in 2015 he formed a splinter group with Westlife star Brian McFadden – much to the mirth of Brian’s former bandmate Kian Egan, who branded the move ‘aggravating’.

“It’s a bit of an odd one – a member of Westlife who left the band after four years decides to use half the name for whatever it is that they’re doing,” he sniped.

However, Keith has vowed to keep doing what they’re doing as long as the fans want it.

“Myself and Brian have always been pals. We don’t take anything too seriously,” he told the Irish Independent.

“We’re doing gigs for cruise lines, for Euro Disney, it’s very busy.

“We’re going to keep going for as long as people want to see us.”

Shane Lynch

Shane Lynch was the bad boy of Boyzone (Image: Rex)
With his piercings, tattoos and temper, Shane, 44, was quickly dubbed the bad boy of Boyzone and he once had an actual fight with rapper P Diddy.

The pair had a fall after the MTV European Music Awards when P Diddy apparently tried to hijack Boyzone’s VIP area.

Speaking to The Mirror after the 2001 incident, he said: “They were ordering everybody to get out – and right in the middle of all the hassle was my [ex] wife Easther [Bennett, of Eternal fame].

“I saw red. My mood changed. I was like a bull in a china shop, it was really strange and everybody stood back.

“Puff Daddy was standing on a table holding a bottle of champagne. He pointed it and started to shoot it at me for whatever reason, I don’t know.

“So I jumped through the air and gave him a solid one to the jaw and he fell off the table. Then all hell broke loose.”

After Boyzone split, Shane branched out into reality TV, appearing on Celebrity Love Island, The Games, Cirque Du Celebrite and Celebrity Big Brother.

As well as singing, devout Christian Shane has tried his hand at acting, appearing in several pantos, but his love of motor racing has never left him and he continues to compete at a high level.

He has also appeared on Celebrity Masterchef and co-owns three barbershops in northern Ireland.

You might also recognise his famous sisters – twins Keavy and Edele Lynch who were in girl group B*Witched.

Shane split from Easther in 2000 and in 2007 he married singer Sheena White, who he had two daughters with, Billie Rae and Marley Mae.

Mikey Graham

Mikey Graham competed in Dancing On Ice in 2010
Now 48, Mikey made headlines in 2010 when he revealed he and Shane had secretly spent 15 years not speaking after a row about an exhaust pipe.

It was only when Boyzone made their comeback that the pair healed their ‘ridiculous’ rift – and became best pals.

He told The People: “For many years me and Mikey were the furthest apart – I mean we didn’t get on at all.

“When the band formed in 1993 I was 17, mad about cars and working as a car mechanic. Mikey was 21 and also a car mechanic but a more advanced one. One day we fell out. It wasn’t really ‘spanner envy’ but, quite ridiculously, we fell out over a bloody exhaust pipe.

“I remember it clearly. I was always into the racing side of cars and Mikey was more a straight mechanic on your average car.

Boyzone in 1995 – Shane Lynch, Ronan Keating, Mikey Graham, Keith Duffy and Shane Lynch (Image: Rex)
“We were discussing the exhaust pipe and how it would get the car to go a little bit faster and he told me I was talking absolute nonsense and that was impossible.

“And, believe it or not, we fell out over that and we didn’t talk for years.”

He continued: “We worked together but there was always the clear understanding that at that moment we were two individuals who had absolutely nothing in common.

“We didn’t totally ignore each other but we never hung out together. I’d hang out with Ronan and Stephen while Keith and Mikey hung out because they were closer in age.

“That’s just how it always was, right up until our comeback two years ago.

“When we got back together to tour it was just very apparent that we were all adults. We all wanted the same things from life, shared the same values. All five of us instantly became very, very close and understood each other.

“Ever since then Mikey and I have become really good pals and he’s actually a brilliant lad to know. He is a very, very knowledgeable guy, a great reader and he’s very, very wise.”

Meanwhile, he competed on Irish Celebrity Apprentice in 2013 and got to the finals of the Irish Eurovision Song Contest act show in 2010.

Mikey has daughters Hannah and Sienna Nicole from a previous relationship and married wife Karen Corradi in 2004.

Ronan Keating

Ronan’s first marriage to Yvonne ended in 2010
Ronan, 44, sold 20 million records as a solo artist with hits including Life is a Rollercoaster and When You Say Nothing At All.

he has worked as a judge on the Australian versions of The X Factor and The Voice and since September 2017 he has also hosted the breakfast show on Magic Radio..

His marriage to Yvonne Connolly collapsed in 2010 after his affair with dancer Francine Cornell, and soon after he met current wife, TV producer Storm Uechtritz, on the set of the X Factor Australia.

They tied the knot five years ago in a stunning Scottish ceremony and have since welcomed son Cooper, three, and 11-month-old daughter Coco.

Meanwhile, Ronan had a famous fall out with Louis Walsh when he dumped him as his manager in 2003.

Ronan and Louis Walsh have been feuding for years
They were were brought together again when Boyzone member Stephen Gately died unexpectedly during a holiday to Majorca in 2009.

But the feud reignited in 2013 when Louis told The Times they were no longer on ‘talking terms’ and branded Ronan “a manufactured popstar who actually believed his own publicity.

“Ronan thought he was George Michael,” he sniped. “He said he didn’t want to be a karaoke artist. Well, that’s what he is.”

For Ronan’s part, he told the Belfast Telegraph in 2020 that Boyzone’s former manager was just ‘bitter’.

“Boyzone happened because of Louis Walsh, he was fundamentally the reason we got our start,” he said. “After that it was all down to us and what we did individually.

“He was bitter. Someone like Louis, he’s been so successful and made so much money, he should be embracing everything about music that comes out of this country.”

Dolly Parton jokes she’d rather “drop dead” on stage than retire

The enduring cultural icon that is Dolly Parton

The country music legend joked that she’d rather “drop dead” on stage singing one of her songs than ever retire.

INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON

2022 WAS A a big year for Dolly Parton. Last October she announced her new Christmas album, A Holly Dolly Christmas: Ultimate Deluxe Edition, and then in December, she performed alongside Goddaughter Miley Cyrus at the young pop star’s second annual, Miley’s New Year’s Eve Party. And while she’s now 77 years old — Parton shows no signs of slowing down.

During a recent interview on the Greatest Hits Radio show, the country music star revealed she has no plans for retirement as she’s “not one to sit around and do nothing.” In fact, she hopes to eventually bow out by dropping dead on stage mid-way through one of her songs.

“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday. Hopefully, one I’ve written. But that’s how I hope to go,” Parton began. “Of course, we don’t have much of a choice in that. But as long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good and my husband is good. I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason. But in the meantime, I’m gonna make hay while the sun shines.”

But her work ethic goes beyond musical achievements, with perhaps some of Parton’s most worthwhile contributions being her inspiring and life-long philanthropic work. In November 2022, Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos awarded Parton a $US100 million ($149 million) prize for charitable endeavours.

The Bezos Courage & Civility Award recognises leaders who “pursue solutions with courage and civility,” Mr Bezos said online.

 
INSTAGRAM / @ROCKHALL VIA @DOLLYPARTON
The country music star, who was also just days ago inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, is not only exceptionally talented but as Bezos has very much brought to the attention of anyone who didn’t know, an exceptionally generous philanthropist too.

In 2021 Parton donated $700,000 to victims of the Tennessee floods and at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, she donated $US1 million to Vanderbilt University’s Medical Centre to help develop the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine.

Parton has also founded a number of charities including the Dollywood Foundation, which focuses on education as well as poverty relief and she has donated over 184 million books to children around the world with her Imagination Library, her children’s book, Coat of Many Colours, was dedicated to the Library of Congress to honour the Imagination Library’s 100 millionth book donation.

And on top of this the musician, songwriter and actress has also assisted the animal advocacy group, PETA by donating her hit, Will You Be Waiting for Me? for a heart-warming television spot, reminding people that pets like humans, need company.

While her extensive philanthropic work makes Parton unequivocally generous, and her 2022 induction into a very enviable list of rock and roll musicians showcases her talent and success in the music industry, Parton’s legacy doesn’t stop there.

Parton is also a successful businesswoman, with businesses that are worth an estimated $350 million no less. These include her own fragrance, a Netflix production deal, a theme park, Dollywood, and even a dog clothing and accessory line – Doggy Parton.

But above all of this, without a doubt, Dolly Parton is a treasured, cultural icon.
INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON
Parton has set herself apart from many a pack, in many a field and where others have fallen. Parton has remained herself (yes, fake breasts and hair included). She has stayed grounded and without ego and is never one to take herself too seriously, you just look at her own Dolly-isms, her self-deprecating quotes – “I’m very real where it counts, and that’s inside” – to see this.

And these characteristics cannot be underestimated and have undoubtedly contributed to Parton’s lasting popularity.

Dr Jessica Ford, Lecturer in Screen and Cultural Studies at The University of Newcastle (and fellow Dolly admirer) says that Parton’s appeal comes down to her “unique Dolly-ness.”

“She is both a ditsy blonde and makes fun of ditsy blondes. There is a sincerity and simplicity but also a visually spectacular aesthetic.”

But most importantly, with Parton, you always know what you are going to get – big wigs, sequinned and rhinestone-covered dresses, huge fake boobs and lips and the heck of a voice. And these have remained consistent Dr Ford says, the key to her success, especially within the country music industry where authenticity is a must.

Despite all of her achievements over the past few years – for me a long-time Parton fan, it was her announcement of a Holly Dolly Christmas: Deluxe Edition released in October, that had me most excited.

Not because Parton and Christmas music are a new combination, its legacy could even rival Mariah Carey’s in this regard (don’t tell MC I said that), but because at age 76, Parton is still being her authentic self, she is still doing what she loves and she is still in the headlines for good reasons, something arguably rare for many celebrities who’ve been in the spotlight for decades.

 
INSTAGRAM / @DOLLYPARTON
Reading the kid’s book, Little People, Big Dreams, featuring Dolly Parton, to my two daughters and detailing her humble upbringing (one that is actually humble), alongside her enduring love and passion for music from an early age and how despite obstacles that would have stopped most, Dolly persisted and overcame them. For me, this has always been Parton’s appeal, her hard-working and determined drive and her authentic self and how those were the traits that helped her succeed.

She is a role model, not perfect, not without fault, but an authentic person who works hard and understands her shortcomings.

Because the truth is, there is something impressive about a woman who openly proclaims and proudly displays all of her fakenesses but who always looks a million bucks and who is so authentically real doing it. Is it a dichotomy? Sure, but that’s the reality for most of us, isn’t it? Parton just manages to sing hers really loudly.

Dolly Parton reveals regretful reason behind why she never had children with husband of 57 years

Dolly Parton and husband Carl Dean never started a family, and now Dolly revealed why whilst adding she’s “almost glad” it didn’t happen. Picture: Getty/Dolly Parton Instagram

Dolly Parton and Carl Dean married in 1966.

At the age of just 20, Dolly married Carl, with the full intention of being together forever. Remarkably, they’re still happily married 57 years on.

Dolly was just an aspiring country singer in those days, and it was the done thing for young couples to consider starting a family.

Both she and Carl bucked the trend however, deciding not to have children and instead focus on transforming Dolly into a superstar.

However, as her fame and fortune grew, starting a family together became more of a distant prospect, and the couple eventually never had children.

In an interview with Mojo magazine, Dolly revealed the regretful reason behind why the couple never made the decision to bring a brood into the world.

Citing how the world has drastically changed over the years and the fractured political climate we currently live in, the legendary ‘Jolene’ singer also admitted that she is “almost glad” that it never happened.

Dolly said she “probably wouldn’t have been a star” if she started a family with husband Carl. (Photo by RB/Redferns). Picture: Getty

“It seems like we’re not making any progress, mostly because nobody’s trying. Nobody’s willing to listen to anybody else,” Dolly said.

“Everybody already knows everything. You’re going to teach your children the same thing, whether it’s right or wrong.”

“Everything is out there. Kids know everything, they see everything, they hear everything. We have to discuss stuff,” she continued.

“I know this sounds like a selfish, awful thing to say, but I’m almost glad I never had children. I worry myself to death about my little nieces and nephews and grandnieces and grandnephews.”

Reflecting on her relationship with her husband without children, she said: “My husband and I, we just think of ourselves as each other’s child. He’s my only child, and I’m his only child.”

Dolly used her own family as an example, revealing that half of them are Democrats and the other half are Republicans, which makes for uncomfortable and often tense get-togethers.

“You can’t even have a Christmas dinner, especially if somebody gets drinking,” she admitted.

“You think ‘Oh Lord, it’s not even worth it any more’. We’ve lost families, we’ve lost friends, all because of the great divide – that’s just politics.”

It’s not the first time Dolly has addressed her decision not to start a family, revealing to Oprah Winfrey in 2020 that it was “God’s will”.

“I didn’t have children because I believed that God didn’t mean for me to have kids so everybody’s kids could be mine, so I could do things like Imagination Library,” Dolly insisted, referencing the educational initiative she set up for young and underprivileged children.

“If I hadn’t had the freedom to work, I wouldn’t have done all the things I’ve done,” she continued, adding, “I wouldn’t be in a position to do all of the things I’m doing now.”

Several years before that, Parton told The Guardian that she likely wouldn’t even have been a country music star if she had her own children, though she would have loved it if she did.

“I would have been a great mother, I think. I would probably have given up everything else. Because I would’ve felt guilty about that, if I’d have left them [to work, to tour]. Everything would have changed. I probably wouldn’t have been a star.”

Dolly Parton Says She Has No Plans to Retire: “I’ll Just Hopefully Drop Dead in the Middle of a Song Onstage”

The music legend has released a total of 65 studio albums throughout her decades-long career.

Dolly Parton Theo Wargo/Getty Images for The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

Dolly Parton doesn’t see herself getting off the stage anytime soon, or really ever.

The country music icon said during a recent interview on the Greatest Hits Radio show that she has no plans for retirement in her future because she’s “not one to sit around and do nothing.”

“I would never retire. I’ll just hopefully drop dead in the middle of a song onstage someday. Hopefully, one I’ve written. But that’s how I hope to go,” Parton, 77, quipped. “Of course, we don’t have much of a choice in that. But as long as I’m able to work, as long as my health is good and my husband is good. I mean, the only way that I would ever slow down or stop would be for that reason. But in the meantime, I’m gonna make hay while the sun shines.”

Since her debut album Hello, I’m Dolly in 1967, Parton has gone on to become a music legend, releasing a total of 65 studio albums so far.

Earlier during the interview with host Ken Bruce, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer explained that since she’s been lucky to have so many dreams come true throughout her music career, she wants to make sure she doesn’t let anything go to waste.

“I always believe that if you’ve wanted your dreams to come true and you are lucky enough to have that happen, then you’ve got to be responsible because you gotta keep the dream alive,” the Jolene singer said. “And every dream kind of spawns another dream. You can branch off of almost anything that happens and make a business of that as well. So it’s kind of like a tree with good roots — it’s got a lot of limbs and it’s also got a lot of leaves. So, why not make the most of it?”

The Grammy-winning singer is also set to make another one of her dreams come true with the upcoming release of her first rock album.

In May, Parton announced that her album Rockstar, which will drop Nov. 17, will feature collaborations with Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, Elton John, Stevie Nicks, Lizzo and Miley Cyrus.

“I’m so excited to finally present my first Rock and Roll album Rockstar!” she said in a statement at the time. “I am very honored and privileged to have worked with some of the greatest iconic singers and musicians of all time and to be able to sing all the iconic songs throughout the album was a joy beyond measure. I hope everybody enjoys the album as much as I’ve enjoyed putting it together!”

Debunking The Reba McEntire And Dolly Parton Feud Rumors

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton are undoubtedly two of the most prominent figures in the music industry, and what comes with that territory is, unfortunately, a lot of gossip. Despite their jam-packed schedules, which include new albums and high-profile performances like the Super Bowl, speculation about tension between them persists.

Not even McEntire and Parton’s decades-long friendship has been able to put a stop to the feud rumors surrounding the two superstars. In addition to openly supporting each other in their artistic endeavors and frequently sharing stages, the two go way back. According to McEntire herself, she and Parton first crossed paths in 1977 at the Grand Ole Opry, as she shared with Taste of Country’s Evan Paul in 2023. McEntire recalled that one of her initial performance slots was unexpectedly given to Parton, which McEntire didn’t mind, quipping, “I said, ‘She can have both of them. Can I meet her?’” Although they formally met later, McEntire vividly remembered Parton’s stunning presence as she walked by, comparing her to an angel. “I thought, ‘Oh my God, that’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen in my life,’” she shared.

Still, some sources continue to claim that Parton and McEntire’s friendship has begun to sour behind the scenes, but we’re here to debunk those rumors.

Revisiting the gossip about their alleged drama

Kevin Winter/Getty Images

According to an insider who spoke to OK! Magazine, Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire have definitely feuded before. “There’s always been a friendly rivalry there, only now Reba’s pressing Dolly’s buttons big-time,” the anonymous person shared, adding, “Reba’s always trying to one-up Dolly in everything she does.” Furthermore, the source alleged that Parton was using her influence to halt the reboot of McEntire’s beloved TV show, “Reba,” but did not provide any evidence to support that claim.

Other than bickering over business, another purported conflict between McEntire and Parton arose over Kenny Rogers’ farewell concert in 2020, where both stars performed. According to a source cited by the National Enquirer, they both believed they should headline the event. “Both of them considered themselves Kenny’s closest confidante,” explained the insider, adding that the two icons were furious with one another.

Despite these reports, there’s no evidence to support any tension between McEntire and Parton. In fact, both have publicly expressed their love for one another, with no indication of any underlying drama. Additionally, given that both of the cited insiders were anonymous sources talking to tabloids, it’s reasonable to conclude that there is no real animosity between McEntire and Parton, only mutual admiration.

The two icons seem to be very good friends

Ed Rode/Getty Images

Although there are no documented records of any feud between Dolly Parton and Reba McEntire from reputable sources, both legendary singers have expressed love for each other on numerous occasions. Following the alleged drama involving Kenny Rogers, Parton took to X, formerly Twitter, to voice her support for McEntire’s podcast, “Living & Learning with Reba McEntire.” Along with the link to her episode, Parton wrote, “With a friendship that’s lasted over 40 years, @reba and I always have a lot to talk about!”

McEntire has previously also spoken up about being a fan of Parton’s work, telling Newsweek in 2023, “I grew up listening to Dolly Parton when she had her very first album, My Blue Ridge Mountain Boy.” Additionally, in a 2022 interview with People, McEntire credited Parton for inspiring her to continue her career despite her age, stating, “As long as we can do what we do and still enjoy it, we can continue doing it.”

Furthermore, in 2021, the two icons collaborated on a revival of McEntire’s 1993 song, “Does He Love You.” In a behind-the-scenes video posted on YouTube, they proved how much they enjoyed each other’s company as well as working together. It’s clear that despite media reports, there is no bad blood between McEntire and Parton, but rather a deep bond of mutual respect and lasting friendship.

Feud Explodes: Reba McEntire Is ‘Pressing Dolly Parton’s Buttons Big Time & Always Trying To One-Up’ Her, Insider Spills

SOURCE: MEGA

Two of the biggest country stars at at war! Reba McEntire wants to get back into the sitcom world, but it seems like her pal Dolly Parton is not letting that happen, causing friction between the two.

“There’s always been a friendly rivalry there, only now Reba’s pressing Dolly’s buttons big-time,” spills an insider. “Reba’s always trying to one-up Dolly in everything she does.”

SOURCE: MEGA

“She’s not bitter or b**chy about it, but there’s a ruthless and kind of restless streak there, for sure, and a part of Reba would love to get one over on her old pal!” the source continues.

Recently, the red-headed beauty admitted that she would be on board with reviving her hit show Reba.

“We’ve really been trying hard to do a reboot of the Reba show. I really want to work with the people that I got to work with during that six and a half years,” she previously shared.

SOURCE: MEGA

But the “Jolene” singer is allegedly getting in the way of McEntire’s acting career.

“Dolly loves Reba, but she can find her a little intense at times,” the source dishes. “Everyone knows Dolly’s the undisputed queen of country. Everything she touches turns to gold. She’s got her music, her producing, her amusement park and many other endeavors. But Reba’s telling all their mutual friends she’s going to be bigger than Dolly. In the past, Dolly’s just said, ‘Ah, shucks’ and looked away. So, it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out!”

SOURCE: MEGA

Apparently, this is not the first time the country stars have bickered. In 2020, they butted heads about how they would honor late pal Kenny Rogers at a tribute concert. “Each thought they meant more to Kenny than the other, and it sparked a little rift and caused awkwardness for everyone around them!” the insider reveals.

The source spoke with The National Enquirer.

Reba McEntire Reveals Her Secret to Feeling Joyful and Reflects on Her First-Ever Season on

McEntire caught up with PEOPLE at ‘The Voice,’ where two Team Reba contestants are in the finale

Reba McEntire. Photo:Casey Durkin/NBC via Getty

Reba McEntire has a whole lot to smile about these days.

Speaking to PEOPLE ahead of Monday night’s episode of The Voice, the country superstar opened up about the things in her life that bring her joy.

“I’m at a really good place in my life,” McEntire, 68, says.

“I’m happy, I’m in love. My kids are all healthy. My family’s healthy. So I’m happy,” adds the “I’m a Survivor” singer, who’s dating actor Rex Linn.

Rex Linn and Reba McEntire.Bruce Glikas/WireImage

As for The Voice, McEntire has two contestants heading into Tuesday night’s finale: Jacquie Roar and Ruby Leigh. On Monday night, they each put on two stunning performances. For Roar, it was covers of “Nights in White Satin” and “More Than a Feeling,” while Leigh sang “Desperado” and “Suspicious Minds.”

Win or lose on Tuesday night, McEntire — who is a first-time coach this season — says Team Reba will “go eat pizza and have fun.”

Niall Horan, Reba McEntire, Gwen Stefani and John Legend.Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty

Looking forward, the “Fancy” performer is currently prepping her contestants for this season’s finale.

“They’re nervous. Absolutely. And I’m just telling ’em, get out there and have fun. You’re prepared, you’re ready to go. You know what you’re doing. Focus. Get out there and have fun,” she says.

Reflecting on the past several weeks, McEntire’s favorite part about joining fellow coaches Gwen Stefani, John Legend and Niall Horan for season 24 was making new friends.

“Working with the contestants, hanging out with the coaches. I’ve had so much fun. And the crew is wonderful. I’ve gotten to meet so many people that I’ll never forget,” she says.

Reba McEntire. Tyler Golden/NBC via Getty Images
Niall Horan Wants a Winning Streak on ‘The Voice’: ‘If Anyone Wants to Take Me on, Try It’ (Exclusive)

And as the end of the year approaches, McEntire has already planned her personal and professional New Years resolutions.

“Professional would be to continue doing what I love to do. Say no to the things that won’t be fun. Say yes to the things that will be,” she says. “Personal is to have fun — just continue being happy and healthy. That’s what I pray for daily.”

The Voice finale airs Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on NBC with Roar, Leigh, Huntley (Team Niall), Mara Justine (Team Niall) and Lila Forde (Team Legend) vying for the winning title.