News - August 2oo5
Nicole's Christening! (30 August)
Westlife star Shane Filan stepped into the spotlight for the first time with his beautiful daughter at her star-studded christening party. The singer and his wife Gillian, 25, proudly showed-off baby Nicole in front of a celebrity gathering. Among guests were 26-year-old bandmate Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina, while Westlife member Kian Egan, 25, also joined the party. But Mark Feehily and his boyfriend Kevin McDaid chose not to make an appearance at Sunday's service. Only days ago he revealed he was gay and decided his presence might over-shadow Shane and Gillian's special day. Stunning Gillian looked the picture of beauty as she posed for the cameras on the steps of St.John's Church. Wearing a classy black dress and white cardigan she said "It's a really exciting day for the whole family" Little Nicole looked so cute in her special christening outfit. "It was a great day for all our families and we had a ball. It was a nice,small,personal gathering" Kian showed-up without Hollyoaks tv star girlfriend Jodi Albert, but brought his dad Kevin along for the event. After the private 35-minute service, guests were invited back to Shane's €2million mansion for a celebration where they were treated to gourmet food and champagne. Shane added "The day went like a dream and we just wanted to keep it low-key family based. "Little Nicole was great and she didn't cry though the service which was brilliant". Nicole was born on July 23 after a caesarean in Sligo General hospital. Shane,26, has taken a three-month break from the band but is raring to get back to the studio to record a new Westlife album. He said "It's been great to get time just to concentrate on the baby but now I feel more determinded than ever to record the best Westlife album.
Mark Feehily: "I'm gay!" (20 August)
He’s a heart-throb admired by millions of fans around the world… and today Westlife star Mark Feehily has taken the brave decision to reveal that he is gay. In an astonishingly frank and moving interview, the singer decided to tell the truth about his love life for the first time. For years the Irish-born singer has avoided questions about his sexuality. But today he feels the time is right to come out in an exclusive Sun interview. Mark 25, says: ‘I want people to know the truth about my sexuality. I am gay and I’m very proud of who I am. I’m not asking for any sympathy, or to be a role model to anyone else. ‘ I simply felt it was the right time for me to let people know the truth. ‘I’ve never tried to hide who I am from anyone, but I’m a very private person and in the past I haven’t felt the need to say anything about my sexuality. But I want people to know I’m very comfortable with who I am. With Westlife Mark has had a staggering twelve No 1 singles, won two Brit Awards, and MTV Europe Award and had five multi-platinum albums. He is also a pin-up for teenage girls around the world who camp outside the band’s hotels hoping to catch a glimpse of their heroes. While his bandmates, Kian Egan 25, Shane Fian 26, and 26 year old Nicky Bryne were all aware of Mark’s sexuality, it will perhaps come as a surprise to his army of fans. Mark explains ‘I’m not worried about how people react because I’m happy being who I am. My close friends and family – the people I love – have been incredibly supportive to me and that’s what really matters. ‘I think the culture we live in today is different and that people’s attitudes towards homosexuality have changed. I don’t think my life will change dramatically as a result of me doing this interview today. ‘I’m still the same person I was the day before. I’m sure Westlife fans will be pleased that I’m happy. I don’t think it changes anything. Mark, from a tight-knit family in Sligo, north west Ireland, is currently in a long-term relationship with singer Kevin McDaid. Kevin, 21 was in a boyband called V and the pair met a few months back. Mark explains: ‘I’m a very private person and I don’t think I owe it to anyone to go into details about my relationship. But I would like to say that I’m happy, and that I’ve found someone who is a real companion. It does get lonely being on the road with the band sometimes and I’m very happy now I’m in a relationship with someone who makes me laugh. ‘All the lads in Westlife have settled down and are in relationships, so why can’t I be? I haven’t gone to great lengths to try and hide anything from anyone. But now that I’m doing this interview today, perhaps it will be a bit easier to get o with a normal life,. In a way I don’t see coming out in this interview as a big deal. ‘I told my parents a few years ago and they were absolutely fantastic. They gave me a big hug and told me it didn’t matter – they totally accepted it and I know that they love me. Their only concern was that I might have been suffering trying to keep it a secret. Both my parents and two younger brothers were amazing. ‘We’re a very close family and that’s been a tremendous help to me.
Taken from: The Sun
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