Quotes

[Why isn't Brian part of the band's reunion?] We tried everything to keep Brian as part of the band in 2004, but he walked away and we s**t ourselves. We realised if we wanted Westlife to survive, we needed to pull together. Him leaving really galvanised us and we became something different. Brian wouldn't know this band if he stepped back into it because this isn't the band he left. I wish him all the best, but I don't know him any more.

[What's next for Westlife?] I look at Take That as an example of how a band can come back from a split and carry on for years with credibility. I think we can keep Westlife in our lives forever this time.

[Why did you decide to go back?] My dad died 10 years ago and something I inherited from him was his work ethic. I'm too young to sit about doing nothing. Also, my 12-year-old sons Rocco and Jay have only vague memories of me performing last time around and my daughter Gia, five, has never known me as a pop star, so I wanted them to see this side of me.

[The band has always managed to maintain a squeaky-clean image. Are you just better than other acts at hiding bad behaviour?] We all loved a drink, but falling around a hotel bar after one too many was about as scandalous as it got. I've never taken drugs or even smoked a cigarette. Now with so many children between us there are fewer late nights and the beers on the backstage rider have been replaced with Percy Pigs!