2002
Bryan became the first married member of Westlife in January 2002. He married Kerry Katona, formerly of Atomic Kitten. They both have a daughter, Molly, who was born in September 2001.
Westlife scored their 10th UK #1 in February 2002 with World of Our Own (see the Charts section for detailed info on their hit songs). Later in the fall, Westlife scored their 11th UK #1 with "Unbreakable"They embark on their 2nd major UK/Ireland in April 2002. This tour ended in June 2002.
American fans were ecstatic upon hearing that the group's long awaited second attempt at the US market would occur in late summer. However, the ecstasy quickly faded when the group did not make any public promotional attempts. Whether it was the group's decision or the record company's (RCA Records) decision on the failed promotional attempt remains a mystery. Although they made a new video for "World of Our Own" just for a US release, they never actually did promotional effort for their album in the US. And the US video was a pretty nifty video to say the least, different from their prior video releases. Without much of any promotion, the song climbed on Radio and Records CHR/Pop charts, peaking at #41 on radio airplay. In some cities, the song reached as high as #2 in popularity in nightly chart countdowns, including Providence, Rhode Island. The release of the album in early October was shelved indefinitely. The group currently has no plans for a US release.
At Christmas time, Shane proposed to Gillian. Nicky proposed to Georgina. Both merrily accepted. With Nicky married to Kerry Katona, this leaves Mark and Kian as the only single members of Westlife. In 2003, Kian becomes tabloid fodder as his relationship with several ladies garners some "juicy" detailed revelations...nothing too terrible of course. But enough to keep the group in the spotlight.
2003
In January, Westlife made a trip to Nashville, Tennessee (USA), home of country music. They spent 3 days transforming themselves into country music artists and even recorded an unreleased song, Daytime Friends, Nighttime Lovers. Unfortunately, the show was broadcast only on BBC in the UK in May, leaving only the lucky folks in Nashville, as one of the privileged few Americans to catch them at a live performance.
Perhaps, in an ironic twist, American Idol "2" winner Ruben Studdard performed Westlife's "Flying Without Wings" and took the song to #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He was outdone by runner up Clay Aiken, who took the #1 spot with "Bridge Over Troubled Waters". To the dismay of many Westlife fans, there was barely any mention that "Flying Without Wings" was a remake of a Westlife song. Many American Idol watchers assumed that "Flying Without Wings" was an original. This left many American fans to ponder what would have happened had Westlife actually released "Flying Without Wings" back in 2000 as a followup to their #20 hit "Swear It Again".
Westlife had their 14th UK top 5 hit with "Tonight/Miss You Nights"
Starting this winter and spring, they embarked on a European tour in support of their "Unbreakable/Greatest Hits Album". The tour started off in European countries including Germany and the Nordic countries, and continued to the UK/Ireland. In early summer, they will also perform their first stadium concert in Lansdowne (UK), performing for a crowd that will be far in excess of the 10,000 fans at their usual tour venues.
Despite consistent rumors early in the year of their impending breakup, the group denies all rumors. In fact, their 5th album is already out Turn around, with two hot singles Oh Mandy and Hey whatever.
