Grieving Westlife bare their souls

WESTLIFE say recent tragedies including the death of Stephen Gately have forced them to re-evaluate their lives.

Just seven weeks after Boyzone star Gately (33) died in Mallorca the showbiz world will hold an extravaganza in his memory at the Palace Theatre in London's West End tomorrow.

Comedians Graham Norton, Matt Lucas, Alan Carr and Paul O'Grady are expected to attend, though it's believed Boyzone will not perform.

Meanwhile, Westlife singer Nicky Byrne has revealed how he desperately misses his father, Nikki Byrne snr (60), who died so suddenly just three weeks ago.

"The finality of it is just incomprehensible," he said.

Fellow band-mate Kian Egan (29) lost his father, Kevin, after a long battle with cancer in July of this year.

"When I lost my dad the idea of it was just heartbreaking and I said to the boys to make sure and take care of your dads," Kian said.

"And here we are and another of the band's dad is gone as well. It's obviously a very, very difficult thing.

"I don't think you ever get over it. You just accept it a little bit more as time goes on, rather than getting over it," he added.

Dad-of-two Nikki (31) said he doesn't fear death and was grateful that his dad wasn't in pain before he passed away.


Sick

"I'm not afraid to die. I'm too young to die," he said. "My dad always said he never wanted to be sick.

"At any funeral we were at he would say to enjoy life because as quick as you are here, you are gone. The fans have been so good with the letters and the cards," Nicky added.

The group revealed that the song I'll See You Again, which appears on their new album Where We Are, has a special significance to them.

"It's a really moving track but uplifting," Nicky said. "Even though it is about death and someone going, it's about seeing them again and them always walking beside you. It is a message of hope."

Source:Herald.ie