Westlife last night did their first live gig without Bryan McFadden. The quartet went down a storm in an emotionally-charged show at Belfast Oddysey Arena – and their charismatic ex-singing partner never even got a mention. The nearest they came was when the band appealed to the 8,000 crowd: “We need your support more than ever.”



The boys, Kian Egan, Shane Filan, Mark Feehily and Nicky Byrne, appeared dressed in mobster-style white suits. Kian said: “Thank you very much for coming on such an important night for us. We could not have picked a better place to start our world tour.” But any disappointment disappeared as the lads belted out 20 songs, including the hits World Of Our Own, Flying Without Wings and Mandy.

Bryan had called the band to wish them well and to say he would be seeing them at the venue on Friday. Judging by the reception his former bandmates received, he might regret his decision to quit.