Byrning Desire

Baby boys make Ireland 's Taoiseach a grandad

Westlife star Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina are today counting their blessings with the arrival of twin baby boys. The youngsters, born on Friday, will be named Rocco and Jay.

A publicist for the couple said: 'Nicky and Georgina Byrne welcomed with great joy the safe arrival of their twin sons Rocco and Jay born at 9.55am this morning in the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street, Dublin 2. The couple would like to thank Professor Mc Auliffe and all the wonderful staff at NMH Holles Street .'

Nicky's wife Georgina is the daughter of Ireland's Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Ahern told Ireland's RTE news that he was delighted by the news and couldn't wait to see them. The arrival of Rocco and Jay makes him a first-time granddad twice over.

source: Raising Kids

Delight for Westlife singer as wife Georgina gives birth to twin boys.

Westlife star Nicky Byrne was celebrating the birth of his bop bop baby twins last night – six weeks early.

The singer and his wife Georgina, daughter of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, said they were “thrilled and overjoyed” at the arrival of boys Rocco and Jay.

Georgina, 27, was rushed to hospital when she went into labour just minutes after Nicky finished the concert at The Point on Thursday night.

She delivered the boys at 9:55am yesterday at Dublin’s National Maternity Hospital.

Nicky 28, looked delighted as he left the hospital in Holles Street last night and gave waiting media a wave.

He said: “Georgina and the babies are healthy and fine. They’re both very small. Georgina’s very happy and she can’t wait to get them home.”

Then he rushed off to The Point where bandmates Shane Filan, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily told a sell-out crowd the good news and led them in a chorus of cheers for the now dad.

The band have just kicked off a record 12-night stint at the Dublin venue as part of their huge tour.

Shane said: “We’re all completely thrilled for Nicky and Georgina. There are going to be two more little members of the Westlife family. Nicky just can’t hide his delight and it’s great to see them so happy. It’s a dream come true.”

Kian added: “We were all surprised that the babies came early but the twins are absolutely adorable. Georgina is looking great and has done a fantastic job. We’re going to have a few drinks to toast the new arrivals.”

Westlife manager Louis Walsh also congratulated the couple and added: “I can make a great new boy band out of the twins.”

Nicky will be spending his days at hospital and leaving to perform in the overnights.

A source close to the singer said: “Nicky has always dreamt of being a dad and he is thrilled. He can’t wipe the smile off his face and he just wants to be the best dad the world. Although the babies were early the timing was quite good. For Nicky is thankfully performing in Dublin on tour and wasn’t over in England.”

Nicky is the latest member of band to join the dad zone – three years after he married Georgina in a ceremony in France. Shane had a baby daughter Nicole 20 months ago with his wife Gillian. And their former bandmate Brian McFadden has two daughters, Molly, five, and four-year-old Lilly Sue with his ex-wife Kerry Katona.

Nicky recently revealed: “I can’t wait to be a dad and experience having that kind of responsibility.” “Georgina and I have been making loads of plans since she became pregnant and we have even decorated a nursery. I feel like a different person already. It’s such a big responsibility but we are both ready to take it on and enjoy every second.”

Mirriam’s On Hols
Georgina’s mum Miriam is in South America and won’t get to see her first grandchildren for a week. But speaking from her holiday hideaway Miriam said: “I’m so delighted to welcome my grandchildren and very sorry not to be there to see them in their first few hours." "I only wish I could be there with Georgina and Nicky."

source: Irish mirror

THEY'VE been top of the charts more times than the Beatles, but last night Westlife's Nicky Byrne said nothing could beat the feeling of becoming a father for the first time.

"We're a happy family, the four of us," he said as he emerged from the hospital where wife Georgina had just given birth to their first children - twin boys.

Bouncing babies Rocco and Jay, born at 9.55am yesterday by Cesarean section, are two months ahead of schedule and although tiny, are healthy.

"It was an anxious time but they're doing well. They're getting special care because they're not full term. Georgina's doing great - I love her to bits," said the ecstatic new dad.

The couple had rushed to Holles Street Hospital in Dublin city centre at 6am on Thursday. The non-identical boys entered the world more than a day later, with devoted dad Nicky at Georgina's side.

"I wouldn't have missed it for the world. It's the happiest day of my life," he said.

He said it was still too early to say who the babies looked like, mum or dad, but they were "so cute".

The babies were only five hours old when an international bidding war began to get the first photographs of Ireland's newest celebrities.

Celeb favourite 'Hello!' - the magazine that won exclusive coverage of Georgina and Nicky's French wedding - has expressed an interest in bagging the first pictures. Ever the professional, Nicky, who was surely running on adrenalin at this stage, made sure his legions of Westlife fans were not disappointed and joined his bandmates on stage in The Point last night.

He left the hospital shortly before 7pm, signed some autographs and posed for photographs with 16-year-old fan Shannon Sheridan, before jumping into a black Jeep to be whisked across the city.

Before leaving, he said that new granddad, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, had not been for a visit yet and Georgina was still recovering. "There has been nobody (visiting) as yet. She needs a bit of rest," he said.

While Rocco and Jay arrived a little ahead of time, their granddad will certainly relish the new additions to his election team, particularly when it comes to baby-kissing on the campaign trail.

It will also bring some good news as he faces down continuing concern about job losses, rising interest rates and inflation, and our slowing economy.

On the brink of calling a general election, Bertie yesterday opened the new Department of Agriculture laboratory at Backweston in Co Kildare before heading on to further engagements in Co Meath. He is expected to visit his first grandchildren this morning.

For the man who contested the 1997 election with the slogan 'A young leader for a young country', and is now a granddad, it must seem like a world away.

Meanwhile, new grandmother Miriam Ahern had not expected the twins' arrival for another few weeks so jetted off on holidays to Chile on Wednesday with partner Terry McCoy.

She sent a message home from Santiago: "I'm so delighted to welcome my grandchildren and very sorry not to be there to see them in their first few hours and most especially my daughter and of course my son-in-law Nicky."

Breda Heffernan and Louise Hogan
source: Irish Times

Westlife star Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina are celebrating after becoming parents to twin boys earlier today (20Apr07).
The pair, named Rocco and Jay, were born in Dublin, Ireland, at 9.55am this morning.
The tots are the fourth and fifth Westlife babies - Shane Filan and his wife Gillian celebrated their daughter Nicole's first birthday in July, and former bandmember Brian McFadden has two daughters, Molly and Lilly-Sue, with ex-wife Kerry Katona.

source: PR-Inside.com

Westlife star Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina have announced the birth of their twin sons.

According to a statement released on behalf of the couple, the boys, who will be named Rocco and Jay, were born at 9.55am today.

The statement said: "Nicky and Georgina Byrne welcomed with great joy the safe arrival of their twin sons Rocco and Jay born at 9.55am this morning in the National Maternity Hospital Holles Street, Dublin 2."

"The couple would like to thank Professor Mc Auliffe and all the wonderful staff at NMH Holles Street."

Georgina's father Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said this afternoon he is delighted about the news. Mr Ahern said he spoke to Georgina on the phone and hopes to visit her and the twins either tonight or early tomorrow morning.

Childhood sweethearts Nicky and Georgina have been married since August 2003.

source: rté

The Evening Express refused to carry pictures of boyband Westlife after its photographers were asked to sign a legal document restricting use of the photos.

The paper says that the band's management wanted a ban on the Aberdeen paper running the pictures on its website.

They also said it should use the photos once only in the paper and never pass them on to fans.

Media photographers were asked to sign by band bosses Outside Management.

But the Evening Express revealed that photographers refused to be bullied into signing the restrictive document and so we were not allowed in.

Editor Damian Bates said: "It's appalling that the management of bands like Westlife deny their fans the chance to enjoy photos in the Evening Express of what was a great night.

"It's an absolute disgrace to try to bully us into signing legal documents that ban us from using our own photos when and where we want."

On the plus side, the paper said those lucky enough to get tickets enjoyed a "real treat" during the 75-minute show.

source: Holdthefrontpage

Fleming Fulton pupils Emma Mulholland and Georgina Brodrick got to meet their heroes thanks to Odyssey supremo Peter Curistan and concert organisers Aiken Promotions.

Emma and Georgina were in a 'World Of Their Own' when Sheridan Group chairman Curistan sprung the surprise on them.

Said Emma: "I didn't know anything about it at all. I heard Peter say something to my mum about getting to meet them - I couldn't believe what was happening!"

Emma was ecstatic when she got to speak to Westlife manager Louis Walsh and Mark from the band.

She added: "As we were talking to Louis I saw Mark passing and we called him over and got pictures taken with him.

"Then we got to meet everyone - it was like a dream come true!

"We were with them for about 10 minutes, but it only felt like 30 seconds. I was just so happy.

"Nicky (Byrne) is my favourite because he is the best-looking!

"I love them so much. I have seen them about six times now."

Emma's dad Paul revealed she had been in hospital recently having a metal frame attached to one of her legs.

"It was actually because she was in Musgrave Park having it adjusted that she got tickets for the Westlife concert.

"Cool FM was there for Children's Day. Emma read out the weather for them and they gave her the tickets for the show."

Westlife play the Odyssey again tonight and tomorrow.

Extra tickets for the shows have been put on sale at £32.50, available from Ticketmaster.

source: Sunday Life

Westlife have sold more than 35 million albums, a feat as impressive as it is mystifying. Yet after eight years, there is no sign of their popularity waning.

That's judging by the screaming for the Irish four-piece at Wembley last night, which was unremitting, even for a performance that had neither spontaneity nor any real thrills.

 True, they did actually try to stage an eclipse during the opening Total Eclipse Of The Heart. But their descent on a moonshaped platform in front of a backdrop of the sun just looked awkward and uncomfortable.

Once they reached the stage, their voices were fine on the power ballads and other covers such as Barry Manilow's Mandy, although Shane Filan and Mark Feehily were clearly the better singers, and so entrusted with more solos.

The blond-hair fans' favourite Kian Egan just ended up waving limply at the crowd when his services weren't required. Happily for him, they screamed even louder.

"We want to thank you for the 14 number ones," said Nicky Byrne, after they sang one of their first chart toppers, If I Let You Go.

His gratitude may have been heartfelt, but it was also a good way of reminding everyone that Westlife are still the biggest boy band around. They even had the cheek to perform a "tribute" to Take That, as if the older men were still just a Nineties act rather than a resurgent pop phenomenon.

Nevertheless, their version of Everything Changes was a key part of the evening's high point - a boy band medley. Also taking in such greats as Backstreet Boys, Boyzone and, briefly, Bros, the four of them injected some energy - and unintentional humour - with their jerky, dated choreography that looked like the sort of spoof dance routine that ends up on YouTube.

It was, undeniably, fun to watch and they followed that with the crowd-pleasing Uptown Girl. But then it was back to the four blokes standing in a line, singing dull songs with fixed grins or, during the serious bits, furrowed brows.

For the audience, though, who ranged from young girls to old ladies and even a few men, it evidently had the feelgood factor (and The X Factor if you counted Ray Quinn in the crowd).

"See you next year," said Filan with a wink as they left the stage, the screams still ringing in their ears. Whether we like it or not, Westlife are clearly here to stay.

source: this is london

ENTERING the MEN’s auditorium, where the stage is set (tantalisingly, behind an austere blackout curtain) for Westlife’s ‘Love Tour’ concert, is a lot like being brought home by the mother-ship in some sci-fi blockbuster; the cavernous darkness broken by thousands of multicoloured lights, flashing and blinking from floor to ceiling and corner to corner of the arena’s behemoth confines.

Once the eyes have adjusted, however, the dancing lights reveal themselves not as extra-terrestrial star-ship console controls, but rather a chaotic collection of flashing pink fluffy bunny ears, glittery Stetsons, neon plastic glow-sticks, and a bewildering array of torch-like novelties in every sugary shade conceivable.

Ok, so it’s not quite Independence Day, but it’s certainly a lot like being on another planet; in skinny jeans and Converse trainers I feel as alien as a neon-green stalk-eyed martian.

The lights go down and the curtains are dropped, revealing a horse-shoe-shaped set of steps and staircases; the screens which flank the stage and provide its backdrop show a sweeping solar-system graphic.

The music which fills the arena is the dramatic intro to Total Eclipse of the Heart, and it would seem Westlife are performing Bonnie Tyler’s part, though they are nowhere to be seen.

Theatrical

Until the camera picks them out, side-by-side within a giant illuminated disc which is precariously lowered from a horizontal position in the ceiling to ‘eclipse’ the burning sun graphic behind; one can only assume this meant beginning the show flat on their backs.

This delightfully theatrical entrance sets the tone for an all-singing, all-dancing (literally – thanks to the addition of a choreographer to the Westlife entourage) concert, which comprises greatest hits, favourite album tracks, and some nicely-executed covers.

Instrumental segues allow for costume changes, of which there are several; pyrotechnic displays punctuate the more upbeat numbers.

The highlight, though, is undeniably a boyband medley which sees the Irish foursome tackle hits by the Backstreet Boys, New Kids on the Block, Boyzone and Take That, before finishing with their own cover of Uptown Girl.

Concentration

There is little doubt that they are singers, rather than dancers, but the routines are gamely executed – albeit with thin-lipped expressions of concentration at times – and add action and variety to what could otherwise be a straightforward balladeering display.

Vocally, they are difficult to fault; each gives an assured performance that clearly delights their equally vocal audience.

The upbeat World of Our Own ends the set, the first in a two-night run here at the MEN.

Leaving the arena, I catch myself humming You Raise Me Up and wondering how I would look in a pink cowboy hat.

Let’s hope I snap out of it.

source: Manchester Evening News

Westlife singers Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne were amazed when Brian McFadden quit the boyband, because he was throwing away his financial security. MCFadden left the Irish group to go solo in 2004, but his subsequent releases have failed to match the success of Westlife. Filan says, "It was his decision to leave the band and we respect that 100 per cent, but... you'd be mad to leave Westlife, purely on a financial basis. "But if you're not happy in your personal life, then money doesn't matter." Byrne adds, "When you see how happy we are, you do feel, `Jesus, why would you want to leave that?' "We live amazing f**king lives, we see the world over, we perform constantly."

source: contactmusic