In a surprising and playful twist, Westlife are offering to act as unlikely peacekeepers in one of the UK’s most public celebrity feuds. The iconic Irish boyband, known for their soaring ballads and heartfelt lyrics, are hoping to bring together Coleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy—both longtime fans of the group—by inviting them to an upcoming concert. Their hope? That music might heal what the courts could not.
The very public fallout between Rooney and Vardy, widely dubbed the “Wagatha Christie” saga, captured media headlines after Coleen accused Rebekah of leaking stories to the press. Despite the high-profile courtroom drama that followed, Westlife seem optimistic that shared musical memories could offer a more harmonious resolution. The band—comprised of Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Nicky Byrne—have extended open invitations to both women, with hopes they might put their differences aside, if only for one night.
Mark Feehily joked about the band’s diplomatic ambitions, likening their Wembley gig to a United Nations peace summit. “We’d love to be involved in them making peace with each other,” he said. “Our music has been a part of so many emotional moments in people’s lives—from weddings to funerals—so maybe it can help here too.” It’s not as far-fetched as it might sound. Westlife performed at Coleen and Wayne Rooney’s wedding in 2008, and Shane sang at Rebekah and Jamie Vardy’s ceremony in 2016. Both couples clearly have history with the band—and the band’s hopeful that those connections still mean something.
Adding a personal touch, Nicky Byrne recalled a recent run-in with the Rooneys at a restaurant. “They were both lovely,” he shared, laughing that he’d had a bit too much to drink at their wedding years ago. Meanwhile, Shane chimed in to say that Jamie Vardy is a massive Westlife fan and even includes their music in his training playlist. From their perspective, inviting the whole lot to Wembley Stadium in August just makes sense. “The more the merrier,” Shane said with a grin.
While the idea of two warring WAGs reconciling on stage to sing “Swear It Again” might sound far-fetched, there’s a tongue-in-cheek sincerity to Westlife’s efforts. They’re clearly enjoying the moment, but there’s also a genuine belief that music can bring people together—even those who’ve spent years at odds. Whether it’s nostalgia, shared memories, or just a good tune, Westlife is holding out hope that the magic of pop might do what the courtroom couldn’t.
The reunion attempt comes at an exciting time for the band, who are in the midst of a chart comeback with their latest album Wild Dreams. Though they acknowledge they’re up against tough competition—Nicky joked that “no one can compete with Adele, not even Ed Sheeran”—the band remains optimistic. Even landing the No.2 spot would be a victory in their books. After more than two decades in the business, Westlife still believe in the power of connection—and they’re not afraid to aim high, even if that means trying to end one of the most talked-about celebrity feuds in recent memory.
