Westlife Web

Mr Sexy

MG Magazine, August 1999

In a recent MG (My Guy) poll we asked WestLife fans to vote for the sexiest member of the band. It was a really tight second, third and fourth place but the clear winner was Shane Filan. But hang on a mo. The one all the girlies scream for is supposed to be the youngest and cutest and Shane's the oldest and most macho - looking Maybe it just goes to prove that WestLife aren't yer average boy band...

Can you remember your first meaningful snog?
I learnt to kiss properly when I was 13. I went out with a girl of 16 and I definately learnt a few things from her. My tip for a good snog is to always start off really soft. Soft and gentle

Do you get the mickey taken out of you because it was your mum who contacted Louis Walsh in the first place?
No, and they better not. I love my mum a million per cent. She's the most important person in the world to me. I know I can turn to her any time. If ever I have a problem I could call her up.

Have you ever got naked accidentally (or otherwise)?
Once I really embarrassed myself in the pool. I had these big shorts on and I didn't tie them up properly. I jumped in the water and they came straight off. So i was desperately trying to stay in the water until I'd got them back in place

So what do your family and friends think of what you are doing?
Well my mum's as proud as punch because she's always wanted me to do this and had a vision that we were going to be like Boyzone, but she misses me when I'm away and she cries every time I go. Most of my friends are chuffed and can't quite believe what's happening, but there are a few people who look at us like, "who do they think they are?" It's a shame but we half expected it to happen. I certainly know who my real friends are that's for sure.

Describe the others in one word
Bryan is funny. Nicky is mature. Kian is Romeo. Mark is considerate. I'd be strong (minded not physically)

Are there likely to be former girlfriends coming forward with kiss'n'tell stories?
It's something I try not to think about. I've no skeletons in my closet. But if a story got turned round - the way they do - I might get upset. It depends what they said

Who are your musical heroes?
The first song I remeber liking was Up Town Girl by Billy Joel. I loved it and thought it was the best song ever. Then when I was about eight I got seriously into Michael Jackson - I was nuts about him for years. I had all his records and the guy who owned our local video shop used to copy all Michael Jackson videos for me. Now, though, I'm into Backstreet Boys, Boyzone, Oasis, George Michael and Mariah Carey - a real mixture

How does it feel to have girls screaming for you?
It feels good. It's a real honour and if we can put a smile on a girl's face through our music or what we do on stage that's brilliant. It's a great feeling to walk off stage and know we've done well. I don't know how I'd feel if fans took it further though and started going through my dustbins or something. I hope it doesn't happen, but if it does I'll just have to deal with it.

What sort of presents do you get from fans?
We get an awful lot of teddies - they make up the majority of the presents. But we also get a lot of jewellery, aftershave, Calvin Klein boxer shorts, nice presents that aren't cheap.