Westlife: 'Louis Walsh leaked ridiculous stories about us'

Westlife have claimed that their manager Louis Walsh was behind some of the more exaggerated press stories about them.

The group said that the X Factor judge would leak stories to the tabloids to gain them press.



Shane Filan told Metro: "Louis will deny to the last he's had anything to do with any of those stories but I suspect he did.

"There was one that I'd broken my back and was in a wheelchair - that was on the front page of one tabloid. The reality was I'd fallen off stage in Asia on to a drum kit. I'd hurt myself but that became exaggerated a bit."

Filan added: "There was one that Kian was chased by lion. I think that came from us going on a safari in Africa and a lion came up to the van - we were covered by a cage - and growled at us.

"If a lion had chased Kian it would have eaten him. You just have to laugh at it."

Asked about his plans following the band's split, Filan explained: "I'd like to keep singing - whether that's small or big. To stop singing for a living would break my heart. I'm not rushing into anything.

"Hopefully I'll have something sorted out when the tour finishes."

Westlife's Greatest Hits compilation is available to buy now.

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Watch the music video for Westlife's recent single 'Lighthouse' below: