Westlife star addresses Eurovision rumours

With Eurovision looming for this summer, some countries have chosen who will represent them at the competition.

Westlife star Nicky Byrne has addressed rumours that he will represent Ireland in Stockholm.

As the Irish Mirror reported that the 37-year-old would represent the country, he didn’t deny it.

A source told the paper: “Most people will be shocked as he was never the strongest singer in the band but he’s a great performer, he has good stage presence and he’s very likeable so who knows?” they said.

“It’s just crossing the t’s and dotting the i’s at this stage but Nicky looks set to following in Jedward’s footsteps and singing at the Eurovision.

“Shane and Mark have their record deals and their albums so maybe the Eurovision could relaunch Nicky’s pop career.”

Responding to the rumours, Byrne said he wouldn’t say no, given the opportunity.

He said: “If that opportunity arose for me, I would love it because I am very patriotic.

“If I didn’t feel I had a song that would be decent, you wouldn’t consider it. I’d represent my country in tiddliwinks if I got the opportunity.”

Of whether being in Westlife made him feel more confident in the competition, he said: “You’re halfway up the ladder in terms of people knowing who you are, but that’s not going make you run the show,” he said.

“But if you can get a song on top of that, you might do well.

“You’re not asking me to fight Conor McGregor. You’re asking me to do something that I’ve done all my life…. If I got the opportunity, I’d give it my best shot.”

Byrne was one of Westlife’s original members, and left when the band split up in 2012.

Fellow star Markus Feehily last year revealed that he was subjected to homophobic abuse, and that he was once forced to flee from a pub because of it.

The former boyband star, who has now launched his own catering van, as well as a solo career, told the Sun about an incident in Dublin when a group of people started chanting homophobic slurs.

A song on a singing competition to find a Eurovision contestant for Israel, has been criticised for lyrics mocking a gay character.

• Dec 01 2023

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