Westlife Nicky's father dies, aged 60

Westlife have cancelled their current promotional tour after singer Nicky Byrne's father died at the age of 60.

The band had been in London to support their comeback single 'What About Now' but Byrne has now returned to Ireland to support his family following Nicky Snr's death from a suspected heart attack, the Daily Mail reports.

An official statement read: "The family would like to confirm the sad news of the very sudden loss of a husband, dad and grandad today.

"A wonderful man who will be sadly missed by everyone whose life he touched. The Byrne family would like to ask that you respect their privacy at this time."

A spokesman for the group added: "The boys in the band's main priority is looking after Nicky at this tragic time."

Bandmate Kian Egan, who lost his own father to cancer in July, told the Irish Independent: "It's been such a shock. Everyone feels so sad. It was just so sudden and unexpected."

The group's founder Louis Walsh said: "Westlife are all devastated. They can't believe a second father is dead."