Westlife were an Irish boy band which formed in 1998 and disbanded in 2012. Originally signed by Simon Cowell and managed by Louis Walsh, the group's final line-up consisted of Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily and Shane Filan. Brian McFadden was a member from 1998 until his departure in 2004.
Westlife sold over 50 million records worldwide, a total that included studio albums, singles, video releases, and compilation albums. The group accumulated 14 number-one singles in the United Kingdom (the third-highest in UK history), tying with Cliff Richard and ranking just behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley. They achieved a total of 26 top ten singles over their 14-year career. By 2010, Westlife was listed in the Guinness World Records, as the UK's top-selling album group of the 21st century. They also won The Record of the Year (the only music award based on public votes in the UK) a record-breaking four times and in 2012, the Official Charts Company listed Westlife 34th amongst the biggest-selling singles artists in British music history. Despite their European and Asian success, Westlife never managed to break into the U.S. market, achieving only one hit single in 2000: "Swear It Again".
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