Shane Filan has spoken candidly about the internal struggles Westlife faced during its early years—particularly around the time Brian McFadden chose to leave the band. In a revealing reflection, Filan didn’t hold back, describing that period as a “living hell” caused, in part, by McFadden’s discontentment and behavior.
According to Filan, McFadden made it clear that he no longer wanted to be part of the group—yet, rather than stepping away peacefully, his unhappiness created tension that weighed heavily on the rest of the band. “If People should be in jail for what they did,” Filan remarked, referencing the intense emotional strain the group endured behind the scenes. While he didn’t elaborate on every detail, the implication was that the band’s dynamic had become incredibly toxic in those final months before McFadden’s 2004 departure.
Interestingly, Filan admitted he doesn’t have a problem with McFadden performing Westlife songs today. “We made the hits together,” he acknowledged. “That’s a shared history.” However, he couldn’t help but express his confusion over McFadden’s decision to revisit material he once dismissed. “He told us he didn’t even like the melodies before he left,” Filan recalled. “So it’s kind of surprising to see him perform those same songs now.”
Despite any lingering resentment, Filan’s focus appears to be on maintaining the integrity and harmony of the current Westlife lineup—which continues to thrive as a quartet made up of himself, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, and Nicky Byrne. While fans still reminisce about the original five, Filan has made it clear that the band has moved on and is stronger for it.
Though time has passed, Filan’s recent comments shed new light on the complexities of Westlife’s journey—reminding fans that the glossy world of pop stardom often hides real human struggles beneath the surface.
