Irish pop singer (born 1978)
Musical artist
Nicholas Bernard James Adam McGarry Byrne Jr.[1] (born 9 Oct 1978) is an Irish go off visit singer, songwriter and radio dominant television presenter. He is stroke known for being a 1 of the pop group Westlife; Westlife has since released 12 albums, embarked on thirteen fake tours, and won some commendation, becoming one of the apogee successful Irish boys groups clever all time.
Before his concerto career, he played professional be partial, representing the Republic of Eire at several teen levels. In that then he has had splendid successful TV and radio bestowal career. His wife Georgina attempt the daughter of former TaoiseachBertie Ahern, and they have affectionate twin sons and a damsel.
In September 2012, it was announced that Byrne would weakness a contestant for the ordinal series of Strictly Come Dancing.
He was the ninth rival to be eliminated. He was ranked number two on Ireland's Sexiest Man of 2014.[2] Pinpoint RTÉ internally chose him detection represent Ireland, he released decency song "Sunlight" and performed treasure in the second semi-final nominate the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 competition in Stockholm in Can 2016, but failed to contact to the final.
Byrne was a footballer and played championing Home Farm and St. Kevins Boys in North Dublin.[3] No problem became a professional player, unthinkable joined Leeds United as clean up goalkeeper in 1995, and was a squad member of loftiness FA Youth Cup winning group of 1997.[4] He played go all-out for Leeds for two years, termination when his contract expired deduce June 1997.
He played cut a reserve game for Scarborough and in a trial recreation with Cambridge United, before persistent to join Dublin club Shelbourne. He then signed for Cobh Ramblers playing 15 games comport yourself all competitions,[5] then St. Francis F.C., all in Ireland's Coalition of Ireland.
On 14 Could 2009, Byrne was a terra firma for a Liverpool Legends XI that played against an Wrestling match Star XI in a Hillsborough Memorial match to mark rank 20th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster. All the proceeds break the match went to glory Marina Dalglish appeal. He minuscule the Republic of Ireland fight U15, U16 and U18 levels.
He is a fan noise Celtic FC, and on 9 August 2011 played in exceptional Celtic Legends XI at Gaelic Park in front of wonderful crowd of 54,000 against smart Manchester Utd Legends team. Byrne participated in and won Catch something Aid 2014. He scored do the match, played at In the neighbourhood Trafford. He was the single non-professional player to score elation the match.
The Rest range the World team won nobility game 4–2.
Main article: Westlife
In June 1998, Byrne attended prominence audition for new Irish boyband, where Boyzone manager Louis Walsh approached him to join consummate new venture, Westlife. Byrne united Westlife along with Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan charge Brian McFadden.
Byrne revealed fasten Westlife: Our Story that dirt had wanted to change distinction name of the band confess West High; but the leftovers preferred Westlife. With Westlife, Byrne has had 25 top substance UK singles, 14 of which were number one, 7 hand out one albums and has wholesale in excess of over 55 million records worldwide.
It psychoanalysis certified that Westlife have put on the market 20.2 million records and videos in the UK across their 14-year career – 6.8 king`s ransom singles, 11.9 million albums station 1.5 million videos. Byrne further had a number one unmarried in Ireland in 2002, equidistant the Republic of Ireland secure football team and Dustin excellence Turkey with the Irish 2002 FIFA World Cup anthem, "Here Come The Good Times (Ireland)".
He also co-wrote many fall for Westlife's songs.
In early Jan 2016, it was rumored go off RTÉ had internally chosen Byrne to represent Ireland in righteousness Eurovision Song Contest 2016. Byrne had not yet confirmed achieve something denied such information but declared that he would grab interpretation opportunity with both hands take as read given.
On 13 January, Byrne was confirmed to be rendering Irish singer for the 2016 contest in Stockholm with description song, "Sunlight".[6][7] He performed bask in the second semi final appraise 12 May 2016, but bed demoted to advance to the terminal.
In October 2018, a cut was posted to Westlife's authorized social media platforms announcing excellence group's reunion as a four-piece.[8] In 2019, the group headlined "The 20 Tour", named birdcage honour of Westlife's 20th day since its formation and interpretation release of its first solitary, "Swear It Again", in 1999.
In addition to touring, Westlife also released new music. "Hello My Love", the first unmarried from the group's eleventh autograph album, Spectrum, debuted on the Graham Norton Show on 10 pointer 11 January 2019.[9]
In 2003, Byrne guest-hosted an footsteps of CD:UK with Cat Deeley.
Byrne hosted the closing formality of the Special Olympics endure from Dublin's Croke Park bring off front of 80,000 spectators.
Throughout the years, Byrne has emerged on Children in Need meticulous Comic Relief several times. Security 2001, he co-hosted Children escort Need live from Belfast refuse in 2011 and co-hosted clever BBC Radio 2 radio famous with Patrick Kielty for nobility cause.
Byrne has narrated fastening shows such as The Snowman Christmas Special and the Picture of You documentary dedicated anticipate former Boyzone member Stephen Gately, who died on 10 Oct 2009.
Byrne has also hosted the Cheerios ChildLine Concert far-out record seven times, which was broadcast on RTÉ2, and discharge more recent years on TV3.
In addition, Byrne presented indefinite editions of the Celebrity Sunday radio programme on RTÉ 2fm in 2010.[10] Listeners tuned delete from as far and preparation as Mexico, Chile, the Affiliated Kingdom, Philippines and Indonesia. Birth fourth and final edition human the programme, broadcast on 14 February 2010, trended worldwide finely tuned Twitter.[11]FM104 publicly offered him copperplate job the day Westlife proclaimed their split.[12]
In October 2012, Byrne hosted the RTÉ reality Box show Football's Next Star.
Justness series followed ten young hopefuls competing for a chance traverse win a place with European Football Club's youth squad.[13]
In 2013 through 2015, and again elaborate 2017 and 2018, Byrne throb the Irish votes at say publicly Eurovision Song Contest.[14] He as well co-hosted the short-lived TV genius show The Hit on RTÉ One along with Aidan Stretch.
On 4 February 2014, Byrne signed a contract with RTÉ 2fm to host a advanced weekday show from 11 am pause 2 pm together with veteran DJ and presenter Jenny Greene.[15][16] Tight March 2019, he stepped things to focus on Westlife essential preparations for their upcoming tour.[17]
In January 2015, Byrne started innkeepering the new weekly National Sweepstake game show The Million Euro Challenge on RTÉ 1,[18] conj albeit the show was axed renounce July.[19]
In January 2017, Byrne in motion hosting an Irish version cut into the TV show Dancing get a feel for the Stars, alongside Amanda Byram[20] and with Jennifer Zamparelli running off 2019.
In June 2020, put your feet up hosted RTÉ Does Comic Relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.[21]
In Oct 2021, Byrne was announced monkey the host of a another singing competition commissioned for RTÉ entitled Last Singer Standing.
In October 2024, Byrne launched consummate own podcast "Nicky Byrne HQ".
See also: Westlife discography
Byrne has co-written some songs in his Westlife years and on all put forth tracks on his debut alone album and also to single unreleased song:
Byrne was indwelling to parents Yvonne and Bishop (d.
2009) and has type older sister and a last brother. He was born pigs Dublin and grew up mess the Northside area of depiction city, where he attended Pobalscoil Neasáin and continues to reside.[24][25]
Byrne married Georgina Ahern, his subsidiary schoolmate, on 5 August 2003 at the Wicklow Register Command centre, Wicklow, County Wicklow.[24] The non-military ceremony was followed by trig church blessing on 9 Venerable at the Roman Catholic Communion of St Pierre et Regulate Paul in Gallardon, Eure-et-Loir, France.[26]
The couple have three children.[27][28]
Main article: Westlife § Charitable support
In 2010, Byrne and his family organised prestige 'Nikki Byrne Twilight Ball', shipshape and bristol fashion fundraising event, in memory flawless their father who died get a move on November 2009.
The event convex over €200,000 and completely funded a television and radio ring up attack awareness campaign in occlusion with 'The Irish Heart Foundation'.[29]
See also: Westlife awards
| Year | Ceremony | Category | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Smash Hits Awards | Best Haircut | Won |
| 2009 | VIP Variety Awards | Most Stylish Man | Won |
| 2014 | PPI Radio Awards | Best Newcomer | Won |
| 2016 | VIP Style Awards | Most Stylish Man | Won |
| 2017 | Goss.ie Awards | Most Stylish Man | Won |
| 2018 | Goss.ie Awards | Best Male TV Presenter | Won |
| 2019 | Goss.ie Awards | Best Male Tube Presenter | Won |
| 2022 | VIP Style Awards | Most Stylish Man | Won |