Latest news with #FlyingWithoutWings
RTÉ News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- RTÉ News
Westlife to mark 25 years with new album and shows
Westlife have announced plans to mark their 25th anniversary with a new album and a series of special shows to celebrate the milestone. The news comes more than two decades after their first world tour began on 9 February 2001 at Newcastle Arena in the UK. In a statement shared on Instagram, the band said they are "thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th anniversary celebrations" and promised "new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way." They confirmed that Mark Feehily will not be taking part in the anniversary events due to ongoing health issues. Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne and Shane Filan will continue the celebrations as a trio. "We hope he can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always," they added. Westlife have enjoyed remarkable success in Ireland over the past 25 years. They hold the record for the most number-one albums by an Irish act, with eleven albums topping the Irish Albums Chart. On the singles front, the group have had sixteen number-one hits in Ireland, including Flying Without Wings, My Love, Uptown Girl and Mandy. Their debut single Swear It Again also topped the Irish chart, while Fool Again peaked at number two in 2000. Feehily, who became a father in 2019, has dealt with ongoing health challenges in recent years. He underwent surgery for a hernia and previously revealed he had been treated for sepsis during the pandemic, which led to several absences from live performances.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Westlife star missing from upcoming shows after concerning year-long silence
Westlife are planning a new album and some 'special shows' to mark their 25th anniversary, but member Mark Feehily is missing from the celebrations following his health complications. The Flying Without Wings boy band – made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark – have teased some exciting projects in honour of the milestone, but they have confirmed Mark, 45, isn't able to be part of the plans. In a statement on X, they wrote: 'To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. 'We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations… 'On the 9th February 2001 we kicked off our first ever world tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later? 'We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon which will include new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way.' The band continued: 'Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. 'We hope we can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always.' Mark stepped back from the group in February 2024 mid-tour due to health issues. He's been out of the public eye and appears to have been off social media for a year now, almost to the day. Explaining his health problems in a lengthy post as he bowed out of the tour last year, Mark said that his 'challenges' began in August 2020 while having surgery, which led to needing intensive care treatment. In the middle of Westlife's Wild Dreams worldwide tour, due to complications Mark ended up back in hospital and was told he had pneumonia. He had surgery again in May 2022. Mark detailed his 2020 hospital experience on Instagram: '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 fiancée [Cailean O'Neill] and my then 10-month-old daughter [Layla].' 'It was physically and mentally a very difficult time, not to mention traumatic having to spend so long in ICU.' He announced at the time: 'It is with the utmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual. 'I wish things could be different!' The band added in their own statement: 'We would like to take this opportunity to send our brother, best friend and fellow band-mate, Mark so many well wishes as he takes the necessary time he needs to recover.' Mark was seemingly last active on social media on June 11, 2024, when he wished his Instagram followers a happy pride month, and he hasn't posted on his grid since. Fans noticed this absence as the big Westlife 25-years announcement came, with many taking to his social media to wish him well. kellzbellz29 wrote: 'Just realised it's been a year since this last post. We hope you are ok.' bramhaldrowena commented: 'We miss you, Mark. I'm hoping you're feeling OK and we can see you on stage as soon as you're feeling ready.' d_for_duls said: 'It's been a year since we last heard from you. Hope you're keeping well. Get well soon. Sending blessings and good vibes your way.' All four members of Westlife – which originally featured Brian McFadden before he left after six years in 2004 – 'can't quite believe' their longevity. More Trending The statement announcing the 25-years celebrations continued: 'The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. 'We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world. 'We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together! 'Happy 25th To Us All!' Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you.
Perth Now
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Perth Now
Westlife announces 'special' 25th anniversary plans without Mark Feehily
Westlife are planning a new album and some "special shows" to celebrate their 25th anniversary. The Flying Without Wings boy band - made up of Shane Filan, Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan and Mark Feehily - have teased some exciting projects to mark the milestone, but they have confirmed Mark isn't able to be part of the plans. In a statement on X, they wrote: "To our amazing fans, we would like to take this opportunity to share some very important news with you all. "We are thrilled to announce the launch of our 25th Anniversary celebrations... "On the 9th February 2001 we kicked off our first ever world tour at the Newcastle Arena. Who would have thought we would still be here 25 years later? "We have so many exciting plans to share with you very soon which will include new music, an album, special shows and many, many more surprises along the way." Mark stepped back from the group in February 2024 due to health issues, and he is not ready to rejoin them at this time. The band continued: "Sadly, Mark will be unable to join the celebrations. "We hope we can join us back on stage when he is ready and able. He sends his love and positivity to you all as always." All four members of Westlife - which originally featured Brian McFadden before he life after six years in 2004 - "can't quite believe" their longevity. The statement continued: "The four of us can't quite believe it's been 25 years. "We could only have dreamt of the continued love and loyalty you have consistently shown us around the world. "We are so lucky to have all of you with us and we can't wait to celebrate together! "Happy 25th To Us All!" In late 2022, Mark was struck down with pneumonia and had to pull out of the band's Wild Dreams tour, although he would later return early the next year. In February 2024, he opened up about further health complications and surgeries - including time in the ICU - and announced he was "temporarily" stepping back. He said at the time: "It is with the upmost level of regret that I must now temporarily stand down from all Westlife touring until a time that I have had the chance to fully recover from the turbulent journey I have been through as an individual. "I wish things could be different!" The band added in their own statement: "We would like to take this opportunity to send our brother, best friend and fellow band-mate, Mark so many well wishes as he takes the necessary time he needs to recover."
BBC News
24-02-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Autistic man cannot speak but 'beautiful' voice goes viral
A man with severe autism who cannot speak has been given the chance to be heard thanks to his "beautiful voice".Martin Finn, 32, is non-verbal but his singing talent has caught the attention of Irish music duo, Foster and singer, who developed his musical talents at Landgate School and College, in Wigan, was invited to sing on the duo's new album for their cover of 'Flying Without Wings'. His proud parents, John and Norma Finn, said the invitation from the chart-topping duo is better than "winning the lottery" because it means the world to Martin. Mr Finn said Martin "lives for music" and added they knew he could sing from an early age despite being non-verbal."If you asked him his name he couldn't respond so to hear him singing was unbelievable," he Finn added: "He sings all the time and his mum and dad are very proud of him".Martin's singing talents began when a former headteacher at the school bought him a karaoke machine, and before long he was singing to his favourite artists including James Blunt, Coldplay, Take That and Snow Patrol. Julie Hewitt, a teaching assistant at Landgate School and College, said it is lovely to watch Martin doing something he loves. "It just shows you even with a disability your dreams can still be there. "You can still do something that you're passionate about and that you love". Since his singing talents have emerged Martin has gone on to sing at staff member's weddings and at his local even appeared on BBC's Autistic Superstars in 2010. His parents have said Mick Foster and Tony Allen, of Foster and Allen, have given their son a "wonderful opportunity" to be said when he sent the song over to Martin to learn, he "could not believe he had it word for word"."It was note for note perfect, everything about it was perfect. "People ask us what was your favourite thing that happened in your career and I always used to say Top Of The Pops because it was magic, but I think being in the studio with Martin really goes above Top Of The Pops, without a shadow of a doubt".Mick added: "If it gives hope to other people that have autistic kids that's more important than whether the song will go to number one or not". Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram and watch BBC North West Tonight on BBC iPlayer.
