Hi everyone

I just wanted to say hello and fill you in on everything that’s been going on over the last few weeks as it’s been a while since you heard from us.

Christmas was really lovely. It was actually a bit of a weird one in a way because Gillian’s granny died the day before Christmas Eve. She was 95 and had lived a great life and seen four generations of the family. It actually brought us all closer together and Christmas Day was really special as we had all the family around us – we had 17 of us here for Christmas dinner. Gillian did the cooking, as she also did on New Year’s Day, when there were 34 of us, including 17 grandchildren!

It was probably the nicest Christmas so far, because I hadn’t been rushing around doing promotion and then hurrying to try and buy presents and stuff, so we could enjoy the build-up properly. I’d been looking forward to it for a long time and it was so nice to be at home with the family. Gillian surprised me with a camera that I’d really wanted for ages on Christmas day, which I was so happy with. I got her some handbags and boots and shoes and stuff. It was also the first year that Nicole really understood Christmas and that was amazing to watch. When you’re growing up Santy Claus and all that stuff really makes Christmas for you, and then you get older and Santy doesn’t come anymore, and then when you have kids the magic starts all over again. She was so excited about seeing Santy – we left out a glass of milk and cookies for him. It was Patrick’s first Christmas, but obviously he didn’t really know what was going on.

I’ve been at home all the time for more or less the last six months, apart from a couple of small trips. It’s been really nice to relax and get to do things like play golf every Sunday with Gillian’s dad. It’s quite weird being at home too though because I’ve been thinking about work loads and I need to keep myself busy. It’s the singing I really miss, and I’m looking forward to getting back on the road. I’ve been chatting to the boys and we all agree that the thing we’re most excited about is performing on stage again.

We miss you all and we’re really excited about starting work on the new album. It’s going to be back-to-basics, with all new songs and no covers, like the first few albums. We’ve heard a few of the songs so far and will be hearing the rest over the next few months. I think it’s shaping up to be really good – as it’s the first album of our second decade we want it to be the best so far!

Take care

Love Shane x

© westlife.com

WESTLIFE star Shane Filan was celebrating the birth of his second baby last night.


The singer's wife Gillian gave birth to a healthy son Patrick at 3.40am yesterday - and Shane told us he was "walking on air" with joy.

The Westlife star, 29, told the Irish Daily Mirror that Gillian was rushed to Sligo General Hospital at around midnight after her water suddendly broke.

He added: "We rushed to hospital and then just three-and-a-half hour later she gave birth.

It was a na´tutal delivery which is what Gillian really wanted and it all went in a flash.

"She didn't even have much pain relief so she really did incredibly well. I am jun´st in ave of her. It was a complete suprise to have a boy - we hadn't found out the sex in advance.

"I was sure it was going to be a girl but Gillian said it would be a boy. She was right, as always.

"He actully really does look like me around the face - but you can see Gillian in him too.

"I'm very tired but completly overjoyed. I feel so lucky and like im walking on air."

Shane took three-year-old daughter Nicole to visit her new baby brother yesterday afternoon.

He said: "It's going to be a great moment to see her meeting her little bro for the first time.

She knew there was a baby coming but I dont think the reality will really hit her now."

Shane and Gillian who wed in December 2003, have picked Michael as the newborn middle name - after Gillian's dad.

Yesterday the happy couple was bombared with messages of congratulations from their showbiz pals.

Manager Louis Walsh called from Miami while band mate Nicky Byrne, who is on holiday in Portugal, sent lovely flowers.

His other band mates Kian Egan and Mark Feehily are expected to visit the baby in the coming days and were among the first on the phone to congratulate the singer.

Shane added: "It's going to be a mad few weeks in the Filan household but its the greatest feeling in the world."

Source: The Irish Miror - Eire Edition - Paper Edition - Paul Martin

Singer's joy as he reveals wife Gillian is to have second child

Westlife star Shane Filan was celebrating last night after revealing he is to become a dad again.

The singer called the Irish Daily Mirror to announce the good news and revealed "I can't believe I'm going to become a pop papa for the second time"

He and his wife Gillian already have a two-year-old daughter Nicole.

Gillian, 28, is 3 months into her pregnancy and announced the new to family and close friends earlier this week.

A thrilled Shane, 28, said "We're going to be off from the band for a year from the summer so it seems like the perfect time to add to our family.

"I'm absolutely over the moon and it's going to be incredible to have two children.

"We didn't want to leave it too long to give Nicole a little brother or sister so it's perfect timing.

"Gillian is an amazing woman and I feel so proud to be having another child with her"

Westlife have just kicked off their mammoth world tour which includes live dates around the UK, Ireland, Australia and the Far East. Eyebrows were raised at the Meteor Awards in Dublin a fortnight ago when Gillian refused to drink at the after-show party.

But the celebrity couple kept the news secret until their all-important three-months scan.

They currently live between a luxurious seven-bedroom mansion in their hometown of Sligo and another sprawling home in Surrey. Shane's Westlife bandmates have also joined the parent club.

Nicky Byrne and his wife Georgina had twins last year while ex-band-mate Brian McFadden has two daughters Molly and Lily Sue with his ex-wife Kerry Katona.

Shane added "It's going to be hectic in the Filan household with two little ones running around but we really can't wait.

"With the band taking a year off it is going to give me the chance to get really stuck in and be a great dad. I'll be able to give Gillian all the help she needs.

"All our friends and family are thrilled.

"Now we are just looking forward to whatever the future brings."

© Paul Martin