Brian McFadden defends Louis Walsh after he was slammed for Boyzone documentary appearance

Daily Record

25-04-2025

Westlife's Brian McFadden has come to the defence of his former manager Louis Walsh after his appearance in a Boyzone documentary was slammed by fans. After the release of the three-part docuseries in February, Brian admitted that the X Factor judge "came out of it bad". Louis created and managed the Irish boy group, who catapulted to fame in the 90s and early noughties. The Sky documentary - titled Boyzone: No Matter What - followed the highs and lows of the groups career, and featured new and archived interviews with members Keith Duffy, Stephen Gately , Mikey Graham, Shane Lynch and Ronan Keating. As their former manager, Louis was also interviewed but came under fire from many viewers, reports the Mirror. This was due to him vocalising how he enjoyed the success of Boyzone, as well as talking about his "cruel" treatment of the band members. In the docuseries, Ronan and Shane recalled the massive media attention that they band received, and how Louis went as far as to plant stories without the band knowing. Outraged fans also criticised Louis for the smile he gave when looking at the front page of Stephen being outed. While Keith remembered the treatment that Stephen received being "absolutely scandalous", their manager was instead seen to smile and remark: "He got the front page." Amidst the backlash that Louis has received from viewers, Westlife's Brian has spoken out and defended his former manager. Speaking to Ryan Tubridy on Virgin Radio UK, he said: "I felt sorry for Louis Walsh. I have to say, I think Louis got a bit of a bum steer in that, to be honest with you. "[He came out of it] terrible. But I understand why… I'm not going to blame the editing, but there was bits I was like, I know how Louis is saying that and then they'll show this horrible story about maybe Stephen, and you're like, 'Oh, that's awful. "And then it would cut to Louis going, 'I don't care. I'd do it again'. And you're, like, Oh, no… That's not what he's [meant]..." Brain also confessed: "He came out of it bad. I think he didn't understand the temperature of the room and what it was going to be. I think he thought it was another fluff piece, like these talking head shows that they do. "I thought he thought it was one of them and didn't realise how dark and sensitive it was going to be." In the docuseries Ronan , who was Boyzone's frontman, accused Louis of ditching him when he decided to try out a solo career that separated the band for a number of years. He also said that the manager made some "really b****y comments". At the beginning of their careers, Shane noted that Louis promised them "the sun, moon and stars". However, Louis was later seen to chuckle: "They believed their own publicity. They forgot I wrote it." Brain isn't the only star to defend Louis, as Union J star Jaymi Hensley-Marmon - who was mentored by the music mogul on X Factor in 2011 - has also spoken about his experience with the judge. He said: "My experience of LouLou is one of pure honesty, care, friendship, and compassion! One of if not the most genuine person I have met in this rollercoaster of showbiz. "As a member of a 'Louis Walsh' boyband , I can say he has always had my back. This Is a truly unremarkably caring man who I am honoured to call a friend! Not what tv producers want you to see, remember that!" After the documentary was released, Louis revealed that he was having chemotherapy after viewers noticed changes in his appearance. He also noted that he was determined to take part in the show and decided to open up on his secret health battle with waldenstrom macroglobulinemia on Celebrity Big Brother.