Shane Filan

Photo os Shane Filan

Shane with his Family



Childhood Photos of Shane

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Full Name : Shane Steven Filan
Date of birth : 5th July 1979, 12:34 pm
Star sign : Cancer
Place of birth : Sligo, Ireland
School : Summer Hill College, Sligo
Height : 5ft 8
Colour of eyes : Hazel green
Any tattoos : No
Scars/marks : No
Chest : 38
Shoe size : 9
Family : Parents Peter and Mae, three brothers: Finbarr , Peter , Liam , three sisters: Yvonne , Denise , Mairead
Previous Jobs : Hardware store
Singing since : A baby

~ Personality ~

Describe yourself in three words : Level-headed, generous, romantic
Rule of Life : "You only live once, so live a good life!"
Phrase that you use often : You know what I mean
If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? : a horse
Dream house : Very big with swimming pool.

~ Likes n Dislikes ~

Hobbies : Horse riding, snooker, pitch and putt

Instrument : Guitar

Likes : Sleeping, shopping, hot weather, girls, going out with his friends, horses (his family have a lot to do with the world of horses) and singing

Dislikes : Insects, rude people, rain

Worst class(es) : Science

Best class(es) : English/Maths

Fave sport(s) : Soccer, horse riding

Fave actor : Tom Cruise

Fave actress : Catherine Zeta Jones

Fave male singer : George Michael

Fave female singer : Mariah Carey

Most like to meet : Michael Jackson

Hero : Michael Jackson

Who Would You Have A One 2 One With? : Michael Jackson

Most Impressive Person You've Ever Met : Mother Teresa

Best movie ever : Titanic

Fave cereal : Corn Flakes

Fave food : Spaghetti, Mum's cooking, steak and chips

Worst food : sushi

Fave soft drink : Coca Cola

McDonalds or Burger King : Both

Fave place to chill : At home

Fave place to visit : Tenerife

Fave football team : Liverpool

Fave perfume, men’s : Polo / Sport

Fave perfume, women’s : Beautiful / Chloe

Fave clothes : Long sleeved shirts

Fave designer : Dolce and Gabbana

Fave colour : Black

Fave book : Anything by W.B.Yeats

Fave song : I Believe I can Fly by R Kelly, Take That - Back For Good

Fave WL song : What I want Is What I've Got

First record bought : Uptown Girl - Billy Joel

First concert : Status Quo in Sligo

U2 or B*Witched : U2

BSB or Boyzone : Both

~ Love Life ~

Blondes or brunettes : either

Ideal woman : Cute, cuddly and one who loves me

Have a girlfriend : Shane is married to his childhood sweetheart, Gillian Walsh (Kian's cousin).

His first kiss : he can't rightly remember the first one but was kissing lots of girls in his teens- and his memory gets a little cloudy with names!

Fave one-liner : Too many to mention

Romantic move (eg. flowers) : Buy a lot of balloons for her bedroom.

~ Quotes ~

"I used to have a toy cat called Kitty. It wasn't a pink cat but it wasn't a black cat either if you know what i mean. It was something a girl would definitely have had. I'd hide him under the bed when my friends came round."

"I was caught speeding past a hospital doing 47 mph in a 30mph zone. There were four of us in the car and it was just after I passed my test. We were on our way to the Irish trials for rugby and we were late so on the bigger roads I was probably going a lot faster. Luckily the cop loved rugby so he let me off although he wasn't too happy with my dodgy number plate."

"My perfect day off would be home in Sligo, somewhere peaceful where I'd be able to chill out, then go up to the land and see the horses!!"

"Ronan's a lovely guy, but don't disturb him when he's tired - you wouldn't like him when he's angry!"

"I always cry when I leave my mum, because I hate seeing her face when I go. I know she's going to start crying -- I can see the tears building up, it's like she's holding a river in her eyes. We're really close."

"I love doing shoots - you get to wear loads of different clothes, and if it's fast-paced, then they're good fun."

"My first school was Scoil Fatima in Sligo. On my first day, i bawled my eyes out when my mum left me - it was a horrible day and i'll never forget it as long as i live ! then i went to secondary school where the teachers and the headmaster, who was a priest, helped me to where i am today."

"During a game of football against a local team in Hong Kong I missed the ball and kicked the floor hard, which really hurt my foot. The next day I was limping badly and all of the guys started calling me Sheena because they said I was acting like a big girl!"

"When I was in the band I.O.U I bleached my hair blonde. It was a disaster -it looked like a bad version of Kian's!"

~ Fact File ~

Shane suffers from a knee injury he got 3 years ago from falling off a horse.

Shane's parents gave him a horse for his 21st birthday, Shane called it Carlton Clover.

It was Shane's mum Mae who originally got in touch with Louis Walsh to try and persuade him to get involved with Westlife!

Shane wasn't too much trouble at school and he always talked his way out of everything. He had a charm with the teachers and admits that his school days were the best days of his life!

His scariest moment was when he was younger and he was kicked in the head by a horse. He said it wasn't too bad cos it was a small pony and didn't get him right. But it happened really quickly and Shane didn't know where he was cos he was so dazed afterwards.

He loves singing in the shower.

The best place Shane says he's ever been to is Sydney, Australia.

Shane is godfather to his nephew Killian.

He says his hands are his fave part of his body.

If Shane wasn't in Westlife, he would be studying accountancy.

His fave Westlife song is Fool Again.

He belives in aliens.

He bought a Jeep for his 21st birthday!

Nicky Byrne

Photo of Nicky Byrne

Nicky with his parents , brother n sister

Childhood Photos of Nicky

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Full Name : Nicholas Bernard James Adam Byrne
Date of birth : 9th October 1978
Star Sign : Libra
Place of birth : Dublin
School : Returned to Plunkit College after spending two years with Leeds Football Club
Colour of eyes : Blue
Height : 5ft 9 and a half
Chest : 38-40
Shoe size : 7 1/2
Any tattoos : A Celtic design that goes across his lower back
Scars/marks : Scar on right elbow
Family : parents Nicholas and Yvonne, one sister Gillian and one brother Adam

~ Personality ~

Describe yourself in three words : Thoughtful, reliable, trustworthy

Bad habit : Drinking tea with the spoon still in the cup

Rule of Life : "Never think that anyone's better than you, and never think that you are better than anyone else"

Phrase that you use often : Le Grá it means with love in Irish

If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? : A fox or a tiger

Dream house : Big house just outside Dublin

Most embarassing moment : Falling over at Elland Road, Leeds United's stadium in front of 30,000 people.

~ Likes n Dislikes ~

Hobbies : Football and snooker

Instrument : Learning to play piano

Likes : Football (Soccer) (especially Man U and Leeds cos he used to be the goalie in the junior team), eating out, shopping and travelling home to Ireland to see his family

Dislikes : Smoking and nasty people

Worst class(es) : I was never any good at maths

Best class(es) : English was easy and geography wasn’t bad

Fave sport(s) : Soccer and snooker

Fave actor : Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt

Fave actress : Demi Moore, Cameron Diaz

Fave male singer : Phil Collins

Fave female singer : Natalie Imbruglia

Most like to meet : Phil Collins, Madonna

Best movie ever : Titanic, Die Hard, Armageddon

Fave cereal : Sugar Puffs

Fave food : Sunday dinner, Mum's cooking, Japanese

Worst food : Prawns

Fave soft drink : Pepsi

McDonalds or Burger King : McDonalds definitely

Fave place to chill : My couch in my front living room in Dublin

Fave place to visit : Caribbean or New York or Sydney

Fave football team : Manchester United

Fave perfume, men’s : Dolce & Gabbana

Fave perfume, women’s : CK Eternity

Fave clothes : smart clothes

Fave designer : Gucci

Fave colour : Blue or white or black

Fave book : The Mammy by Bruce O'Carroll

Fave group : Boyzone

Fave song : Phil Collins - 'Against all Odds', What I want Is What I've Got

First record you bought : Kylie Minogue - 'I Should Be So Lucky'

First concert : The Cranberries in Dublin

U2 or B*Witched : U2

BSB or Boyzone : Boyzone

~ Love Life ~

Blondes or brunettes : Depends

Ideal woman : Elegant, smart, humourous, nice eyes

Have a girlfriend : Nicky is married to Georgina Ahern, Irish premier Bertie Ahern's daughter.

His first kiss : was when he was a wee rugrat of nine years old with his mum's friend's daughter! But then Nicky did have 'steady' girlfriends at that age - about one a month!

Fave one-liner : How do you like your eggs in the morning.

Romantic move (eg. flowers) : Surprised my girlfriend by coming home after being away for two months.

~ Quotes ~

"I always try to make a resolution but I can never stick to them. I usually try and stop swearing - but it doesn't help, I've even had a swear box before and I put money in it when I swore - but I'd always end up broke!"

"I didn't realize I'd have to travel so much. I thought I'd just stay in Ireland!"

"I wouldn't mind looking like Brad Pitt!"

"I would never eat any fish which is alive"

"Me and Shane were like little terriers."

"Georgina knows that I love her endlessly - more than anything in the world."

"One thing we do know is that we can't dance."

"I'll know I'm famous when my mum asks me for my autograph"

"My fave place we've been on this tour so far has been Copenhagen in Denmark. It's a really great atmosphere there. But we've always got to get back on the bus..."

"We come from normal families and £700 for a pair of trousers is a lot. If my mum asked, I'd probably say £450. Spending a lot on clothes or a watch or ring makes me feel guilty but I think that's a good thing. We appreciate what we've got."

~ Fact File ~

When Nicky joined the band he couldn't swim!

Nicky reckons he could make a good racing driver.

He used to live with footballer Alan Smith when he was training at Leeds Utd.

He broke his elbow at football training and still has a big scar.

Nicky missed his first week of school, because he was in a road accident.

He hated maths at school.

He used to sing karaoke with his dad - who is also called Nicky - and who has a band called 'Nicky and the Studz'.

Nicky bought a car when he signed to Westlife, but sold it cos he was never home.

He hates going to the gym.

Nicky used to pray before every football match that he would play well, and it was him who started the Westlife tradition of praying and saying a Hail Mary before every concert!

Nicky is a car freak.

Kian Egan

Photo of Kian Egan




Photo of Kian with his parents , three brothers n three sisters

Childhood Photos of Kian Egan

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Full Name : Kian John Francis Egan
Date of birth : 29th April 1980
Star sign : Taurus
Place of birth : Sligo, Ireland
School : Summer Hill College
Colour of eyes : Blue
Height : 5ft 10
Chest : 40
Shoe size : 8
Any tattoos : a chinese symbol meaning spirit/soul on his left ankle
Scars/marks : Small scar on face (right cheek)
Family : parents Kevin and Patricia, three brothers: Gavin (28), Tom (22), Colm (4) and three sisters : Viv (30), Fenella (24), Marielle (13)

~ Personality ~

Describe yourself in three words : Romantic, fun, shy

Bad habit : I bite my nails

Rule of life : "Treat everybody the same way you want to be treated"

Phrase that you use often : Alone

If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? : A beaver

Dream house : Big house in Hollywood

~ Likes n Dislikes ~

Worst class(es) : Maths

Best class(es) : Art

Hobbies : Music, snooker, pitch and putt, shopping

Instrument : Guitar and pianoLikes: performing on stage, having a good night out and being in Westlife

Dislikes : sushi and rude people

Fave sport(s) : Basketball, football

Fave actor : Brad Pitt

Fave actress : Cameron Diaz

Fave male singer : Brian Littrell

Fave female singer : Celine Dion

Most like to meet : Michael Jackson

Who Would Who Have A One 2 One With : Madonna

Most Impressive Person You've Ever Met : Lenny Kravitz

Best movie ever : Titanic

Fave cereal : Frosties

Fave food : Steak and Chips

Worst food : Sushi

Fave soft drink : 7 UP

McDonalds or Burger King : McDonalds

Fave place to chill : In front of T.V.

Fave place to visit : USA

Fave football team : Liverpool

Fave perfume, men’s : JOOP

Fave perfume, women’s : Loads

Fave clothes : Alexander McQueen shirt, Nicole Farhi cotton jeans

Fave designer : Dolce and Gabbana

Fave colour : Blue or white

Fave book : Bravo Two Zero by Andy McNabb

Fave music : BSB, Boyzone, Five, Chart

Fave song : Baby one more time by Britney Spears, She's Like The Wind (from 'Dirty Dancing')

First record bought : Metallica - Glory of Love

First concert : Michael Jackson in Dublin

U2 or B*Witched : U2

BSB or Boyzone : BSB

~ Love Life ~

Blondes or brunettes : Both

Ideal woman : Good looking, good personality, good fun

Girlfriend? : Open to offers

Lovelife : Kian says he has dated a couple of fans in the past, and for a while he dated Jessica Forsman, 26. Jessica was a dancer on Westlife's first UK tour.

His first kiss : when he was nine - round the back of the Mervin community centre in Sligo!

Fave one-liner : Don’t use any

Romantic move (eg. flowers) : Too many to give away!

~ Quotes ~

"It's very hard to describe yourself. I'm quite serious when it comes to the band, I'm dedicated to my work. I love what I do and I make sure everybody loves what they do."

"I'm pretty ridiculous when it comes to buying clothes. I'll get 10 different leather jackets if I like them ".

"When I was 12 I wrote a note to myself which said, 'I'm going to be a millionaire by the time I'm 21 - by Kian Egan.' My parents have still got it."

"I'd rather do push ups than chant!"

"I'd never go out wearing all white, I'd look like i was in a boyband!"

"Our music is timeless, like the Beach Boys or Bee Gees."

"I've got girls hair!"

"Bryan is most likely to wind me up. He knows how to annoy me."

"Bryan never stops talking. We just ignore him half of the time!"

~ Fact File ~

He worked as a kissogram before joining Westlife!

He's scared of horses!

Kian's first band was called Scrod.

He plays both piano and guitar, and has been known to play guitar on stage to 'More than Words' .

He once splashed out £4,000 on a Rolex watch .

Kian loves any clothes that have dragons on them.

Mark Feehily

Photo of Mark

Photo of Mark with his parents , two younger brothers n his dog.

Childhood Photos of Mark
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Full Name : Mark Michael Patrick Feehily
Date of birth : 28th May 1980
Star sign: Gemini
Place of birth : Sligo, Ireland
School : Summer Hill College
Color of Eyes : Blue
Height : 5ft 10.5 inches
Chest : 41
Shoe size : 9 1/2
Any tattoos : Nope
Scars/marks : he has a mole, on the right side of his lower neck
Family : parents Oliver and Marie, two younger brothers Barry (15) and Colin (11) and a dog called Snoopy
Previous jobs : Pizza delivery, photo lab assistant
Singing since : since he can remember

~ Personality ~

Describe yourself in three words : Shy, reserved but also friendly
Bad habit : Singing all the time
Rule of Life : "Money isn't everything, but happiness is"
Phrase that you use often : Well buddie - what's the craic (Irish for fun)
If you were an animal, what kind of animal would you be? : a bird or Mariah Carey's cat!
Dream house : Big house with swimming pool + tennis court in Sligo. Mark would also really like an apartment in New York!
Most embarassing moment : Forgetting the words to my songs at a talent concert in front of 1,000 people aged 14.

~ Likes n Dislikes ~

Hobbies : Tennis, football, snooker, chilling out
Instrument : Piano, guitar and tin-whistleLikes: Chillin' with his mates, singing and partying
Dislikes : Being tied down, having too much on his plate, narrow-minded people, smoking
Worst class(es) : Irish/woodwork
Best class(es) : French/Home Economics
Hates : Birds and snakes
Fave sport(s) : Football, tennis
Fave actor : Eddie Murphy
Fave actress : Lisa Kudrow (Phoebe - Friends)
Fave male singer : Michael Jackson
Fave female singer : Mariah Carey
Most like to meet : Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson
Hero : Mum & Dad and Michael Jackson
Who Would You Have A One 2 One with? : Michael Jackson
Most Impressive Person You've Ever Met : Mariah Carey
Best movie ever : The Nutty Professor, Armageddon Fave cereal: Rice Crispies/weetabix
Fave food : Steak and chips, Irish stew, chicken
Worst food : Fish
Fave soft drink : Fanta Lemon
McDonalds or Burger King : McDonalds
Fave place to chill : On the couch in front of T.V.
Fave place to visit : Home (Sligo)
Fave football team : Liverpool
Fave perfume, men’s : Hugo Boss
Fave perfume, women’s : Clavin Klein
Fave clothes : Trainers and tracksuit
Fave designer : Timberland
Fave colour : Purple or green or black
Fave book :The Witches by Roald Dahl
Fave Music : everything
Fave song : Man in the Mirror by Michael Jackson and Without You by Mariah Carey
First record bought : Billy Joel - Uptown Girl or Right Here Waiting - Richard MarxFirst concert : Christy Moore
U2 or B*Witched : U2
BSB or Boyzone : Boyzone

~ Love Life ~

Blondes or brunettes : Brunettes

Ideal woman : Thoughtful, funny

Have a girlfriend : I'll accept all offers!

Love life : Mark came out as gay in August 2005, announcing he is in a long-term relationship with Kevin McDaid from the boyband V.

Previously he was rumoured to be dating Mandy Moore (but it wasn't true, Shane spread the story to wind Mark up!).

He was also rumoured to have dated a model named Lauren Gold for a while (she starred in Robbie William's video "Rock DJ" as the DJ). Lauren accompanied him to the premiere of teen movie Coyote Ugly (see the pic of them together below). Mark said that they met at a party in London and thought she was very nice, but due to both their busy schedules the relationship wasn't serious.

Mark also dated Page 3 glamour model Ebony. Mark was also rumoured to be going out with Cathy Newell from Irish girl group Bellefire (who, like Westlife, are managed by Louis Walsh).

His first kiss : was in a very romantic location on holiday in France while on an exchange trip. She was an Irish girl and he thought the kiss was disgusting for about two sceonds before deciding he really liked it!

Fave one-liner : Here love, here's 2 kroner - ring your mum and tell her you won't be home!

Romantic move (eg. flowers) : flowers, disco, dinner, home to bed!

~ Quotes ~

"When I was in the Scouts we put on a play and I had to dress up as a woman! I was in a small scene with another guy, he was dressed up as a sporty woman and I was working a posh look. I was wearing a scarf, my mum's high heels, earrings, a skirt and her big coat from about 20 years ago! It was in front of my whole parish - can you imagine how embarrasing that was?"

"I was meeting my girlfriend's parents for the first time and trying to sound like the nicest little kid ever. They asked about my interests and I said, 'I like singing, dancing, acting, and go-karting.' Their faces dropped and I got a huge lecture about the dangers of go-karting and was warned never to take their daughter near a go-kart , it was sooooo embarrassing."

"After a tasty chicken dinner I like a big bowl of juicy strawberries- with a huge dollop of ice cream on 'em!"- Mark on his favourite pudding

"Sleep."-on what he does when he's not performing

"When I got my head shaved, it was all over the papers. It's weird that when you get a haircut you are in the papers, it's pretty stupid".

"Eyes and a smile do it for me! You can tell so much about what a person is about by looking at the kind of eyes they are giving you!"

~ Fact File ~

Mark is really good at speaking Irish!

Mark thinks his nose is too big.

He has a birthmark on his back which he refers to as a 'splodge'. Strangely, his brother Colin's got one as well!

He always keeps his toothbrush in a glass by the sink - and he goes mad if anyone moves it!

He once had a job in a restaurant - he was paid £2.60 an hour - and used to have to clean the toilets as part of his job.

Mark loves nothing more than slobbing on the couch at home and watching TV.

He prefers a shower to a bath.

He first went on stage in the school production 'Scrooged'.

One of his biggest ambitions is to meet Michael Jackson.

Mark prays every night.

His fave subject at school was French language.

According to the other lads, Mark is the biggest liar in the band! Nicky claims Mark often lies about his age when chatting up girls.

His fave pizza topping is chicken, ham, mushroom and pineapple.

He has ambitions to write a full musical.

Backstreet Boys

The foundation of Backstreet Boys had been laid in 1992.

Originally it included members : Nick Carter , A.J. Mclean , Brian Littrell , Howie Dorough n Kevin Richardson. But Kevin Richardson has left.

Their first Released Record was in 1997 --- Quit playing games ( with my heart )

Backstreet Boys were, in many ways, a contradictory band. Comprised entirely of white, middle-class Americans, the group sang a hybrid of new jack balladry, hip-hop, R&B, and dance club pop that originally found its greatest success in Canada and Europe, with their 1996 debut album charting in the Top Ten in nearly every country on the continent; ironically, success in their native land did not follow until nearly two years later.

Cousins Kevin Richardson (ex-member) and Brian Littrell, who both hail from Lexington, KY. The two began singing while they were children, performing in local church choirs, as well as festivals, where they sang doo wop and new jack R&B in the style of Boyz II Men.

Two of the other remaining members, Howie Dorough and A.J. McLean, were natives of Orlando , FL, who met each other -- as well as transplanted New Yorker and fifth Backstreeter Nick Carter -- through auditions for local commercials, theater, and television .

At one audition, the three discovered that they shared an affection for classic soul and could harmonize together. In no time, they were singing as a trio.

Shortly after the trio had formed, Richardson moved to Orlando, where he became a tour guide at Disney World; at night, he concentrated on becoming a professional musician .

Eventually, he met Dorough, Carter, and McLean through a co-worker, and the four decided to form a group, naming themselves after an Orlando flea market; Littrell was invited to join to make the band into a quintet

Through a friend, record producer Louis J. Pearlman, the band secured management from Donna and Johnny Wright, who put the group out on the road and had several A&R reps come see the Boys perform live.

Eventually, Jive Records became interested in the band, signing the group in 1994. Jive/Zomba set Backstreet Boys up with producers Veit Renn and Tim Allen and they labored over the album with the band for several months.

The group's eponymous album was released throughout Europe in late 1995. The record was a success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most continental countries where it charted.

In the U.K., Backstreet Boys were named Best Newcomers of 1995 at the Smash Hits Awards thanks to their international hit single "We've Got It Goin' On."

After scoring another European hit with "I'll Never Break Your Heart," the group released their eponymous debut album in Europe and Canada in late 1996; it was a success, spending several weeks in the Top Ten in most of the countries where it charted.

Despite their popularity in Europe and Canada, "We've Got It Goin' On" stalled in the lower reaches of the U.S. charts in 1995; this may have been due to the fact that the American version of Backstreet Boys was not released until 1997.

Combining their international singles with new tracks (which also formed the centerpiece of that year's European-only album Backstreet's Back), the American Backstreet Boys finally began their rise to U.S. success, scoring hits with the singles "Quit Playin' Games (With My Heart)" and "As Long as You Love Me" (the former of which went platinum).

The album continued to spin off hits into 1999, with "Everybody (Backstreet's Back)," "I'll Never Break Your Heart," and "All I Have to Give" all landing on the charts; both the former and the latter were platinum Top Five hits, and the album ended up with sales of over 13 million copies.

In the meantime, the group saw its share of turmoil; Littrell underwent surgery in early 1998 to correct a congenital heart defect, and the Boys became embroiled in lawsuits against Pearlman and the rest of their management over royalties for most of the rest of the year. When the dust settled, Pearlman remained the group's manager (though the rest of the team was fired), and the Boys began work on their follow-up album.

Millennium was released in the summer of 1999, and debuted at number one with first-week sales of over a million copies. Despite the fact that no singles were officially released from the album in the U.S., "I Want It That Way," "Larger Than Life," "Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely," and "The One" all hit the charts based on airplay alone.

The group released its Christmas Album before the end of the year, by which time Millennium was well on its way to sales of 12 million copies in the U.S. alone.

In November 2000, the group released a new album, Black & Blue , with the idea of the title of the album coming from Brian as the boys were in Los Angeles for a photoshoot.

The album debuted with 1.9 million units sold in the first week in America, making the band the first ever artist to have two albums sell a million or more copies in the first week.

In 2001, the Backstreet Boys kicked off the first leg of their "The Black & Blue Tour ", in which they were to perform on five continents. The tour also had extremely expensive production costs. The tour was featured on a CBS TV special, The Backstreet Boys: Larger Than Life. To coincide with the special, TV Guide issued six different covers of the boys: five individual shots and one group photo.

The second leg of "The Black & Blue Tour" was put on hold when it was reported that A.J. McLean had checked himself into rehab to battle drinking, drug addiction, and depression after Richardson had held an intervention for him at a Boston hotel. The tour was postponed until September.

In the September 11 , 2001 attacks, a Backstreet Boys crew member, Daniel Lee, was killed. He had been using time off in the tour schedule to travel from Boston to Los Angeles to be with his pregnant wife. The death caused the cancellation of the band's plans for overseas tours. Despite the attacks in New York that day, the Backsteet Boys went ahead with a planned concert that night in Toronto.

In 2002, the band expressed a strong desire to leave their management company, The Firm.

Nick Carter chose to remain with The Firm to manage his solo career. It became apparent that this was reason for their lack of resistance to the Backstreet Boys moving on and this unexpected move forced the band to take a break.

Starved for a blockbuster album release, Jive, according to industry observers, had no choice but to bank on releasing Carter's solo album by the end of the year, ahead of the next Backstreet Boys' album, which was due in early 2003.

In 2002, Nick Carter's solo album Now or Never was released. The album peaked at #17 on the Billboard and was certified Gold.

In November 2002, Brian's wife Leighanne gave birth to the couple's first child, Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell.

In December 2003, A.J. McLean appeared on the Oprah Winfrey Show where he talked for the first time in public about his addiction to alcohol and drugs, and his struggles rising to fame.

The rest of the band surprised him by arriving in person to give him support, marking the first time the Backstreet Boys had appeared together in public in almost two years. The band began to reform and reconcile their differences to start recording a comeback album.

In 2004, the Backstreet Boys started performing together to promote their return to the music scene.

After a three-year hiatus, their single, "Incomplete", was released to radio stations on March 28,2005. The album is named after a song on the album which mourns the loss of Kevin Richardson's father. The drastic style change drew negative criticism from magazines such as Rolling Stone, which gave the album one star.

On June 14,2005, the Backstreet Boys released their comeback album Never Gone, which they spent more than a year recording. The album debuted at #3 on the U.S. chart with first week sales of 291,000 copies, and #1 debuts in Japan, Pakistan,Germany, India, Chile , Brazil and South Korea.

In the same year, Brian Littrell's song "In Christ Alone" charted at #1 on the US Christian Charts. The Backstreet Boys began the first leg of their The Never Gone Tour in July in West Palm Beach, Florida. It was their first Australian tour.

Never Gone was certified platinum in the US and four singles were released from the album. Their first single was "Incomplete", the second single was "Just Want You To Know", and the third singles were: "Crawling Back To You" for the US and "I Still...", internationally. Never Gone has sold approximately 10 million copies worldwide.

On May 2, 2006, Brian Littrell released his first solo album Welcome Home with the title track as the first single. Both album and single made the top 3 on the Billboard Christian Charts.

In June 2006, Richardson left the Backstreet Boys to pursue other interests and "move on with the next chapter of [his] life." He issued the following statement on the band's website on June 23 , 2006 -----

"After 13 years of what can only be described as a dream come true, I have decided that it is time to leave the Backstreet Boys. It was a very tough decision for me but one that was necessary in order to move on with the next chapter of my life. Howard, Brian, Alex and Nick will always be my little brothers and have my utmost love and support. I would like to thank the Backstreet fans for all the beautiful memories we have shared together and look forward to including you in the next phase of my life. I wish my brothers continued success and look forward to their new album".

The Backstreet Boys' sixth album includes various music styles, combining their earlier mid-90s dance-pop sound with their newer guitar driven pop/rock sound. Unbreakable, was officially launched on October 30, 2007. It was the Group's follow-up to 2005's Never Gone and is the first effort since Richardson's departure.

On July 25, the first single was confirmed as "Inconsolable," a piano-driven power ballad similar to Never Gone's "Incomplete". It reached #21 on the US Adult Contemporary Charts and managed only #86 on the Billboard Hot 100.

"Helpless When She Smiles" was the next single to be released from Unbreakable . It only managed to reach #52 in the US Adult Contemporary charts and in turn failed to reach the Billboard Hot 100 charts.

"Everything But Mine" the second track from the album has been confirmed as the third single for release. It was officially confirmed by Nick Carter and A.J. Mclean during an interview for Music Magazine.

While the album had received positive reviews, it did not perform as well as its predecessor, Never Gone. Unbreakable opened at #7 on The Billboard 200 , selling 81,000 copies in its first week of release .

Two weeks after its debut, the album dropped out of the top 100. These low sales may in part be due to the lackluster performance of first single "Inconsolable" in the United States which peaked at #86 on The Billboard Hot 100. However, it performed well internationally, debuting #1 in Japan and staying there for another week.

The group kicked off their 45 date World tour to promote Unbreakable in Tokyo, Japan on February 16th 2008. Dates have been confirmed for the tour being titled the Unbreakable Tour ( Backstreet Boys) in Australia, Japan, Mexico, UK, Europe and Asia.

The group will be kicking off the US tour on August 16th in Gilford, NH and then August 23 in St. Paul Minnesota and in Chicago at The Ravinia on August 24. The tour DVD was recorded in London's The O2 Arena.

The group plans to head into the studio in the spring of 2009 to begin work on their next album, after they finish the Unbreakable World Tour, with plans to hopefully release the album sometime the next year, early 2010.In between that time AJ Mclean announced on 19 March 2008 that he's finished recording and will release his first solo material some time in 2008.

~ Nick Carter ~

Full Name : Nickolas Gene Carter
Nicknames : Nicky, Koas, Chaos, Mr. Hyper Man, Frack, Messy Marvin
Birthdate : January 28, 1980
Place of Birth : Jamestown, NY
Height : 6' 1"
Hair : Golden Blonde
Eyes : Blue
Family : Mother Jane, Father Bob, Sister BJ, Leslie,and twins Aaron and Angel
Favorite Car : Prowler
First Ambition: Singing
Favorite Colour : Forest Green
Favorite Musical Artists : Steve Perry of Journey, Nirvana, Jodeci, Boyz II Men and Michael Jackson
Favorite Song : I Will Always Love You by The Cure
Favorite Food : Pizza
Favorite Drink : Mountain Dew

Astrological Sign : Aquarius
Favorite Movie : Aliens, Braveheart
Favorite Movie Actress : Sigourney Weaver
Favorite Movie Actor : Jeff Goldbloom
Favorite TV show : Mad About You, Beavis and Butthead, The X-Files, The Simpsons
Favorite Book : Living Free
Favorite Type of Clothes : Nike
Favorite Sports : Basketball, football, baseball
Favorite Cologne : Gravity
Favorite School Subjects : Science, History, English, PE
Least Favorite School Subjects : Math
Hobbies : Boating, fishing, drawing, basketball, collecting football cards, and playing video games
Deodorant : Speed Stick
Favorite Ice Cream Flavors : Mint chocolate chip, chocolate-chip and cookie dough
Favorite BSB Song : Quit Playing Games (With My Heart)
What he looks for in a girl : ---

(1) He likes girls who are older than him (darn!)
(2) Girls that are smaller
(3) Pretty
(4) Long dark hair
(5) Honest
(6) Loyal
(7) Very romantic
(8) Someone that loves him for who he is deep down inside
(9) Someone who is independent
(10) Fiesty with a great personality
(11) Good heart
(12) Most of all- his dream girl has to be natural, not too much makeup!!
Dream Date : The beach at night where the moon is full

~ A.J. Mclean ~

Full Name : Alexander James McLean
Nicknames : AJ, Bone
Birthdate : January 9, 1978
Place of Birth : West Palm Beach, Florida
Hair : Brown
Eyes : Brown
Height : 5' 9"
Family : AJ is an only child and his mom's name is Denise. His Dad's name is Robert (Bob).
Favorite Colour : Yellow (The VIP section of the official site says Purple)
Favorite Food : McDonald's #6 which is Double QP with cheese, large fries, large Coke, iced tea no lemon
Musical Instruments : Saxophone, Bass Guitar
Favorite Music : Boyz II Men, Silk and the Blues
Favorite School Subject : English
Astrological Sign : Capricorn
Favorite Film : Pulp Fiction
Favorite TV show : Seinfeld
Favorite Book : Witches
Favorite Movie Star : Dustin Hoffman
Favorite Cologne : CK One
Hobbies : Dancing, writing, poetry, basketball, billiards, shopping
Favorite Foreign City : Paris
Favorite Chocolate Bar : Hershey's Cookies 'n Creme
What he looks for in a girl :---
(1) Beautiful eyes
(2) Long, sleek fingernails
(3) Long hair
(4) Great personality
(5) Great sense of humor
Dream Date : What ever her heart desires!

~ Howard Dorough ~

Full Name : Howard Dwaine Dorough
Nicknames : Howie, Howie D., Latin Lover and Sweet D.
Birthday : August 22, 1973
Birthplace : Orlando, Florida
Eyes : Brown
Hair : Brown
Shoe Size : 9 (mens)
Height : 1.70 m, 5' 7"
Car : Mazda 626
Musical Instrument : Guitar
Favorite Music : Soul and R&B
Favorite Colgnes : CK One and Escape for Men
Favorite TV show : Fresh Prince of Bel Air
Astrological Sign : Leo
Family : 4 older brothers and sisters, John, Pollyanna, Caroline and Angie , Wife : Leigh Boniello
Favorite Food : Asian
Favorite Colour : Purple
Favorite Musicians : Bobby Brown and Jon Secada
Favorite Book : The Firm by John Grisham
Favorite Movie : Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
Favorite Film Star : Tom Hanks
Favorite School Subject : Math
Hobbies : Weigth lifting, water skiing, dancing, movies and raquetball
Early Jobs : Howie was in the movie Parenthood and Cop and a Half. He did community theatre and was in Disney World commercials
What he looks for in a girl :---
(1) Really likes blondes
(2) Intelligent
(3) Nice personality
(4) Good sense of humor
Dream Date : a candlelight dinner, then a movie or dancing, then ending with a long walk on the beach!

~ Brian Littrell ~

Full Name : Brian Thomas Littrell
Nicknames : B-Rok, Mr. Joker, Seaver, Frick
Birthday : February 20, 1975
Place of Birth : Lexington, KY
Current Residence : Atlanta, Georgia
Height : 1.70 m, 5' 7"
Hair : Brownish - Blonde
Eyes : Blue
Family : His parents, Harold Baker Littrell II and Jackie, and his older brother Harold Baker Littrell III. Wife: Leighanne (Wallace) Littrell, Son: Baylee Thomas Wylee Littrell
Musical Instruments : Trumpet
Favorite Musicians : Boyz II Men, Shai, Jodeci
Favorite Colour : Midnight Blue
Favorite Food : Macaroni and Cheese
Hobbies : Basketball, golf, going to the movies, dancing, singing, lifting weights, swimming
Biggest Fear : Heights
Bad Habit : Biting his nails
Astrological Sign : Pisces
Favorite TV Show : Friends
Favorite Movie : It's A Wonderful Life
Favorite Movie Star : Tom Hanks
Favorite Actress : Wife, Leighanne Littrell
Favorite Cologne : He doesn't wear colonge. He says he smells like his fav soap, Dove Body Wash
What he looks for in a girl : He says he has already found it! But here it is ~

Blonde or light brown hair blue eyes, nice legs, long nails, intelligent, good sense of humor, determination, athletic with lots of energy, have her own dreams, interested in achieving goals, giving, open, trustworthy, willing to have fun
Dream Date : Something simple, a picnic in the park or a walk on the beach

~ Kevin Richardson ( ex - member ) ~

Full Name : Kevin Scott Richardson
Birthday : October 3, 1971
Birthplace : Lexington, KY
Astrological Sign : Libra
Favorite Colours : Blue, Black and Purple
Hobbies : Playing keyboards, water skiing, swimming, surfing, basketball and hockey
Favorite Food : Mexican and anything Asian
Favorite Music : R. Kelly, Prince, Babyface and Teddy Riley
Favorite Movies : Top Gun and The Shawshank Redemption
Favorite TV Shows : Roseanne and Martin
Favorite Book : Interview with the Vampire
Favorite Film Stars : Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Favorite Foreign Country : Sweden
Unique Talents : Ballroom dance instructor
What he looks for in a girl :--- Pretty , Able to talk openly and honestly with him , Intelligent , Nice smile
Dream Date: Nice restaurant then maybe dancing or a movie afterward