Festivals and Music Tours

“WE’RE able to save the foot.”

That is what Kings Of Leon frontman Caleb Followill heard a doctor tell his wife after a freak accident at home.

“My kids wanted to play tag because they didn’t want to go to bed,” he recalls.

“I went to hurdle the couch, and when I did, my back foot caught it. So, I threw my legs underneath me to try to stick the landing, and it was just heels first.

“I was losing blood and there was a moment where they thought they might have to take my foot.

“They [the medics] said they’d only ever seen an injury like this when a man had fallen off a five-storey building.”

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In a video call with Caleb and his cousin, guitarist Matthew Followill, from their Nashville homes, the singer reveals: “The heel of my foot was in the middle of my foot, so it was like there was a massive lump in the middle.”

With the band then just weeks away from their 2025 UK and European tour, Matt initially thought Caleb was exaggerating the extent of his injury.

“He sent this text and I thought it was a joke,” says Matt.

“He was, like, ‘Guys, I hurt my foot really bad. We might not be able to go on tour’. And I was, like, ‘Yeah, right. How could you hurt your foot so badly?’ But the X-rays are pretty gnarly.”

What began as a nightmare would, however, become the inspiration for the band’s most personal, stripped-back album yet.

O My Beloved is the Nashville group’s tenth studio album and it sees them reflecting on family, love and loss.

Caleb admits: “I was going through a lot and had to mentally be strong.

“I couldn’t sleep at night. I would have panic attack after panic attack. I was so depressed, so helpless . . . 

“When you’re the man of the house and everyone’s taking care of you, it’s a bad feeling.”

But as he recovered at home with his wife, model Lily Aldridge, and their kids Dixie, 14, and seven-year-old Winston, Caleb picked up his guitar and found himself writing songs unlike anything the band had released before.

“I feel like my relationship with my children took a whole new step,” he says.

“The first song that came was My Whole World. As soon as the rhythm started, I began singing, and the words just very naturally came out.

“It was very therapeutic. And the songs that followed had a similar feel.” After that, the band scrapped the four or five guitar-driven songs they had been working on to embrace a quieter, more acoustic sound.

“I remember a couple of times during the demo process, I pulled my truck over to the side of the road and had tears in my eyes,” Caleb recalls. “I was, like, ‘Man, it feels so different’.

“It was kind of a miracle, in a way. It was something that needed to happen to stop the cycle of tour, then make an album and repeat.”

Matt adds: “This album is a way to turn something terrible into something positive.

“Now we’ve made this album, when you think about that time at home, it has a different meaning. And with it being our tenth album, we wanted to do something different.”

The enforced break also gave Caleb time to reflect on more than 25 years of Kings Of Leon.

“It was the first time since we started that I’ve ever really looked at what we’ve accomplished,” he admits.

“Instead of looking at the workload ahead, it was kind of looking back and going, ‘Whoa, 25 years, we’ve done more than we ever dreamed we would do’.

“It was a really beautiful time of reflection.”

For years, Matt, Caleb and his brothers — drummer Nathan and bassist Jared — wanted to be recognised for their music rather than family connections.

“For so long, we were tired of talking about being family,” Matt says. “We were, like, ‘No, we’re a band, just see us as a band’. But with this music, it’s all about family, and I guess it was time to quit avoiding talking about it.”

Caleb and his brothers spent much of their childhood travelling through Tennessee, Oklahoma and the South with their father, a Pentecostal preacher, often sleeping in cars or staying with relatives.

“It was the little moments that inspired the songs,” says Caleb. “Like small conversations with my uncle Larry or moments at our family reunions.

“We didn’t have, excuse my language, a pot to piss in, but we had love and each other and we created beautiful memories.

“We grew up poor, and that was always our thing. You know, ‘One day our ship’s going to come in’.

“One day, my older brother Nathan said, ‘I think our ship is the Titanic’, because it felt like our ship was never coming in.”

The family saying inspired a lyric in My Whole World when the siblings were excited about a forthcoming family cruise.

Caleb explains: “A picture of the ship said ‘29 days ’til . . . ’ so I wrote ‘29 days ’til our ship comes in. We’ll be together again’.” Matt adds: “I also love that that’s something your mum used to say.”

And memories of Caleb’s mum Betty Ann, who died in 2021, are woven into the new album.

“When I had messed up and everyone was mad at me, I could always call her,” Caleb explains.

“When you lose that person, it forces you to kind of really take ownership of who you are. For the first time, it’s ‘Oh, man, I’m the grown-up’.

“I didn’t really deal with the grief or loss, and this was the first time I was able to do it in a way that didn’t feel like I was whining about it,” Caleb admits.

“Sometimes I think, ‘Oh, man, she would love this’, or, ‘She would be proud of this’, and then I’m like, ‘No, she does love this and she is proud of it’.”

The freedom of childhood also runs through KOYSAR (Kick Off Your Shoes And Run) — a song Caleb wrote for his daughter about growing up in the age of social media.

Pretty Thing is a poignant story inspired by the old country songs Caleb grew up listening to.

He says: “It’s not autobiographical as we didn’t have that traditional high-school experience. It was the forbidden fruit.

“And I always admired songs about first love in high school — that glamorous football player with the cheerleader.

“As I got deeper into writing it, it felt like more than a break-up, like, ‘Maybe this man died, and so he’s watching her move on with her life. Every time I play that song for my wife, she cries.”

Other standouts include The Hand and Rose — which Matt cites as his favourites — while Caleb singles out Get You Down for its emotional depth.

O My Beloved is a stunning album, with its delicate, quieter sound allowing the band’s musicianship to shine.

Matt says: “We wanted everything to have a purpose, and not to have extra stuff muddying up the mixes. We tried to have clear sounds and a clear vision.”

“Us producing the album ourselves was a real opportunity for us to really home in on sounds,” Caleb adds. “We wanted to let the songs shine.”

As we chat about his lyrics, I’m surprised to hear Caleb admit he still struggles with insecurity over his songwriting.

He says: “I’m self-conscious about lyrics. For the most part, I’m so scared for anyone to hear anything.

“I never used to enjoy playing shows. But over the last five years, I love walking out on stage and am no longer scared.”

Matt continues: “Being in Kings Of Leon is hands-down better than it’s ever been for us, for touring and just being together.

“For some of the time, it wasn’t fun but now we look forward to getting together.”

The band return to the UK next month for a one-off show at the new British Airways ARC before headlining next summer’s Isle of Wight and Lytham festivals and playing a string of shows across the country.

Caleb admits they are still working out how to fit the new songs into their live performances.

“It’d be hard to put those songs in between Spiral Staircase and Sex On Fire,” he says. “You have to let them breathe and have their own little moment.”

And after a recent performance in Texas, he is keen to include strings in future shows.

“We had a big, beautiful string section with us, and it was pretty magical and maybe we want to grow that,” he says.

Britain has always held a special place in the band’s hearts, with fans here embracing them long before they found success back home in America.

“They were there first, and they have never left,” says Caleb. “Loyalty matters to us.”

Matt adds: “My wife is English, and she says that if you make a fan in Britain, you pretty much make a fan for life.”

London also brings back memories of the band’s wild early days. “When we’d be in London, we’d go crazy,” says Caleb. “We’d do interviews and get drunk before. Like, ‘No one’s going to see this. Who cares?!’”

A lot of the more memorable moments involved fights, too. “One time, me and Nathan ended up in a Koi pond,” Caleb laughs. I had hit him over the head with a frying pan. It’s a true story.”

Both he and Matt are relieved social media wasn’t around then to capture their antics.

“We probably just would never have gone to those clubs because we’d be on Instagram or TikTok the next day,” laughs Matt.

“It was, like, ‘Whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas’,” adds Caleb. “We were just small-town guys let loose. And, thank God, we survived.

“There were a lot of crazy memories — a lot of moments that just didn’t feel real at the time.

“I’ll never forget when we walked on stage at Glastonbury [in 2008], when we got to headline it.

“Years ago, a man grabbed me by the hand, and said, ‘You will be in front of multitudes’. It scared me because I didn’t know what he meant by that.

“When we walked out on stage at Glastonbury, it was the first time it hit me that that was what he was talking about.”

Almost two decades after that unforgettable show, Caleb and Matt are enjoying being in Kings Of Leon more than ever.

“It really feels like we made our first album again,” Caleb says. “Producing it ourselves to the way that we wrote the songs, the instrumentation . . . it really felt like we were doing something for the first time.

“Most bands don’t ever get to make a first album. They certainly don’t get to make it twice.

“It feels like the beginning of something. I don’t know what that is, but I’m enjoying it.”

• O My Beloved is out next Friday.

KINGS OF LEON

O My Beloved

RAZORLIGHT are keen to show they’ve still got the golden touch as they prepare for their 28-date tour across the UK and Europe.

The new shows will see Johnny Borrell and Andy Burrows celebrating the 20th anniversary of their self-titled second record, which spawned hits including America, In The Morning and Before I Fall To Pieces.

Speaking at the Ovo Arena Wembley, where the band plays on December 4, frontman Johnny recalls: “The first time we played here was supporting the Manic Street Preachers, it was a great show.”

Buzzing to be back, drummer Andy adds: “We feel very lucky, but at the same time we also feel like we did something really cool.”

The tour starts in Europe and reaches the UK with Glasgow on November 26, before cities including Nottingham, Bristol and Leeds.

And time on the road means more time to make new music.

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“I’m hoping we do some writing on the road because we used to do that a lot,” Johnny says.

“Now we’re going out on the tour bus again, I think we’ll have a good chance of doing that.

“We’ve got a couple of really good songs at the moment and the next step is bringing it to the band and we’ll see how it sounds.

“I like where we’re at with Razorlight at the minute, we’ve got the bit between our teeth.”

Andy says: “These shows and playing together will fuel that. It would be easy to play some gigs, earn some money and be like, ‘See you in two years.’

“But we have that drive to say, ‘F**k, we need to do this again and do it better’.”

Johnny adds: “Everyone has to bring their A-game, then we need to meld together because then it creates something incredible.”

Johnny thinks the group — which first formed in 2002 — have some exciting years ahead.

He explains: “I think a band needs that hunger. And I think we have that right now.

“We’re writing new material and we’ve got that drive.

“I always feel most comfortable in that kind of position where I’m fighting and trying to prove something. I like being the underdog and I like taking it on. When we play live, we’re not playing along to a backing track or anything pre- recorded or a click track or something like that, which 90 per cent of bands are doing now.

“It’s depressing. People do it because it’s easier and it’s cheaper to do. Anyone can go off and do 364 days of something else, then turn up and get a haircut and look like they’re in a band, you know?

“But we’re doing it the real way.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re the biggest band in the world. It doesn’t matter if you’re like the newest, youngest band starting out.

“If you’re doing it properly and you’re doing it for the love of the music, it’s a long road and you just have to keep fighting.

“And that’s our vibe right now.”

FLUFF LUCK FOR RAYE

RAYE was the big winner at the Mercury Prize do after taking home the coveted gong.

She received the award for her incredible second record, This Album May Contain Hope.

After the bash at Newcastle’s Utilita Arena, the star was snapped leaving in a faux fur coat and fluffy slippers while holding her trophy out for the waiting photographers.

Raye, who turns 29 today, said: “I just poured so much heart into this album, I really did. This accolade is serious and something that I always dreamed to one day receive. I just feel really grateful.

“It’s the best birthday present I could have asked for.”

Olivia Dean left the night empty-handed but made up for her loss by partying until 3am with her pals in Newcastle.

One of my mates spotted the Man I Need singer heading off with her friends to cool DIY music venue The Lubber Fiend.

They told me: “Olivia might have lost to Raye but she was in great spirits. She went dancing with her mates and was having the time of her life. She’s a great girl and a proper good laugh.”

WIGHT MOVE BY ROBBIE AND CO

ROBBIE WILLIAMS, Kings of Leon and Fatboy Slim have been announced as the headliners for the 25th Sky Presents Isle Of Wight Festival.

They will be joined by a slew of stars including Becky Hill, Kaiser Chiefs, Myles Smith, Cruz Beckham& The Breakers, Courteeners, Rudimental and Scouting for Girls.

The event, which takes place across four days from June 17 next year, still has some more acts to be announced.

Tickets go on sale at 8am on Monday,

Festival director Caroline Giddings said: “There’s a real mix of artists for different generations and tastes, and there’s still more to come.

“We put a lot of thought into what happens beyond the main stages, too.”

JoJo in a good lace

SINGER Jojo Siwa wows in lace as she attends the 2026 Dancers Against Cancer Gala in Beverly Hills.

The former child star looked worlds away from her wild pop star persona as she walked the red carpet in a stunning white dress.

The singer was in good company at the glitzy bash, with actress Carmen Electra and singer Janet Jackson also in attendance.

JoJo is currently enjoying some downtime in America after releasing a series of singles following her stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house last year.

GEORGE MICHAEL’s estate is hosting a free screening for NHS staff of his film, The Faith Tour, at London’s Roundhouse .

The show comes 20 years after his gig at the same venue for nurses, to thank them for caring for his mum who died of cancer in 1997.

Tickets will be distributed by NHS England.

STRIP away his rock star status and Noel Gallagher is just like us.

In the new episode of Chicken Shop Date, he tells host Amelia Dimoldenberg: “I’m pretty low-key. My children live with me. We played a gig in São Paulo to 90,000 and I got home and came downstairs to find my two lads arguing over what was left in a box of Coco Pops. I thought to myself: ‘48 hours ago I was on stage – now I am arguing with two bellends about Coco Pops.’”

GARY Barlow was spotted enjoying some down time with a posh lunch, as he relaxed after Take That’s gruelling concerts recently came to an end.

The singer, 55, was seen in deep conversation with a TikTok star, after recently admitting he could “never physically do” his band’s famous Circus tour again.

But yesterday, the Take That legend was spotted making the most of his free time and was seen in deep conversation with social media wine expert, Tom Gilbey, 54.

The pair were spotted having a catch-up over lunch in an up- market restaurant in London’s Notting Hill.

For his afternoon out, Gary kept things casual in a black jumper, tracksuit bottoms and baseball cap.

As the two men settled down for lunch, they were seen chatting happily together.

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The pair had previously starred in one of Tom’s TikTok videos together, as Gary has his own wine label.

Gary is using his downtime to relax, after Take That’s recent tour wrapped in the summer.

The singer and his band mates Mark Owen, 54, and Howard Donald, 58, travelled the UK with their Circus show this year that they first performed to audiences back in 2009.

But when the concerts ended, Gary, who shot to fame when he was just 19, revealed that it was unlikely he would put the famous tour on again, as he opened up on the physical toll.

“Best tour ever – to say that 35 years into our career is saying something #circuslive. And another tour comes to a close,” he said in an emotional statement.

“Somehow, this one feels a little different. With the other tours, it’s always comforting to know there will almost definitely be a next time. But I’m pretty sure this tour won’t return.

“I was 38 when we originally did this show, and I have to say it’s been a whole other challenge doing it as a 55-year-old,

“I just can’t see a way I could physically do this show again.”

Gary ended the statement with: “So, it’s with an extremely heavy heart that I leave The Circus in my past.

“I got to run away with The Circus twice. Now I’m running towards our next exciting, brand new show.”

STEPPING on to the Pyramid stage at Glastonbury in 2023 was a big moment for Texas, who had last played at the festival 24 years earlier.

But whatever expectations frontwoman Sharleen Spiteri and her band had for the gig were blown out of the water, because it sent them stratospheric once again and gained them thousands of new fans.

Now they are capitalising on their expanded fanbase by heading out on an 11-date arena tour of the UK and Ireland next October, and releasing a 30th anniversary version of their No1 album White On Blonde, featuring hits including Say What You Want, Black Eyed Boy and Halo.

And as good news comes in threes, today Texas have also released a new single, Another Way To Cry.

In an exclusive chat, Sharleen told me of their success: “I think it tastes sweeter than it ever has.

“The honest truth is that when we did that Glastonbury a couple of years ago, you never know how it’s going to go, but that Glastonbury changed everything. Suddenly there was a whole new audience that wanted to see Texas and we announced that tour off the back of that.

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“It just was a moment of, ‘Wow, people really do still want to see us.’ When you look out into that audience, the ages vary all over the shop. It’s quite extraordinary.

“There’s been lots of people going, ‘When are you going on tour?’ so it’s good that there is still that desire to see us, and for us, that just makes the desire to go and play even stronger than it’s ever been.”

If you have not seen Texas yet, I urge you to snap up tickets when they go on general sale at 10am next Friday, October 30.

There, you will be able to hear the Scottish rockers’ new single, which is a rollicking, brassy singalong with Sharleen’s bluesy voice shining strong.

The accompanying video — an ode to the film Paris Texas, which was the inspiration for the band’s name — sees her exploring the Scottish highlands and bumping into fellow Scot, Trainspotting star Robert Carlyle.

On shooting the visuals, she said: “We had every season in the space of an hour, which was extraordinary, but that’s Scotland. We had scorching sun, pouring rain then sleet and hail stones and wind.

“It was fun, alongside our mates the Highland cattle, which was fantastic.”

And she insisted the Highland cows in the video were genuine. She continued: “It’s not AI, they were actually there. There was one point where me and Robert were walking down the road and they were coming right up, and they’re gigantic and they’ve got horns.

“If it just moved its head in the wrong direction and you’re anywhere near that horn you’re getting whacked by it.”

Thankfully they emerged unscathed and Sharleen has since been back in the studio.

Asked if there is an album of new music on the way too, she said: “Yeah, we’re working on a new record.”

As for White On Blonde, which will be out on February 5, Texas are chuffed it is being released on vinyl for the first time after they were recently fleeced trying to buy another of their records on the format.

She explained: “There was only ever vinyl made for the Press. We actually had to buy one of the old albums back because we’d given them away.

“We ended up buying our own record back for £1,200, about a year ago, because we needed it for a video. It was hysterical. I was literally like, ‘What? £1,200!’”

And they have got someone special on board to write the liner notes — Peter Kay.

Speaking about the comedian, who directed and starred in the 2006 video for their song Sleep, she said: “Peter is such a big music and Texas fan, and he’s a big friend of ours. He’s so geeky in his knowledge of music and stuff like that.

“It just felt exactly right because of his connection to the band and the fact he made the video for us and he bought White On Blonde and he’d always talked about it.

“It felt like the absolute right thing to do.”

I DON’T HAVE RIGHT TRAITS

SHARLEEN turned down the chance to go on The Celebrity Traitors in her native Scotland – insisting she’s a “s*** liar.”

She was approached by the series producers, but doesn’t think she’s competitive enough to be a success on Claudia Winkleman’s hit show.

She explained: “I’m very flattered to have been asked and I said, ‘Thank you, but no.’ I couldn’t do it.

“I absolutely love The Traitors. It’s such a great, unbelievable programme and I’m watching it currently and I just couldn’t do it. I’d be all over the shop.

“I’d gladly play the game. But I’m a s*** liar. That is the truth. I wouldn’t remember who I told a lie to or what I did and I’m not that big of a player.

“I’d probably go, ‘Nah, you’re alright.’ The thing is, the only place I’m really competitive is on a stage.

“In games I’m really not competitive at all. So I’d probably be really rubbish.”

She added: “I want to be a fan, but not a fan in it. I want to be a fan watching it. I’m very happy with that situation.”

JADE-D BY PRINCESS FAILURE

JADE has revealed she was “devastated” not to land the role of Princess Jasmine in 2019’s live-action remake of Aladdin, after the role went to Naomi Scott.

The Little Mix star, who auditioned for director Guy Ritchie, said: “I was pretty devastated. I think I got down to the last few. I sent a letter once I knew they’d reached out, saying that Jasmine was my sort of idol growing up.

“She was the only character I could really look up to as someone of Arab heritage, so Princess Jasmine was who I dreamed of being.”

On Channel 4’s The Assembly, she added: “I did three rounds of auditions. I sang A Whole New World in Guy Ritchie’s living room.

“I didn’t get the part and that’s fine. But I was quite sad for some time, definitely. I was gutted, I can’t lie.”

JUDI DENCH says panned 2019 Cats movie was a “waste” of Andrew Llloyd Webber’s “goodwill and talent.”

She starred as Old Deuteronomy in the much-mocked movie and in her new memoir, she writes: “Oh God, I can’t bear it – and he had waited so long for it to be made.

“What a waste of all that goodwill and talent.”

JAY-Z’S UP FOR THE BIG GAME

JAY-Z has chosen himself to be the headline act for next year’s Super Bowl half-time show, according to a report in the US.

Justin Bieber and Miley Cyrus were said to be in talks to perform at the show in Los Angeles on February 14.

Instead the rapper, who’s firm Roc Nation has had a deal with the NFL since 2019, will be taking centre stage.

He has yet to comment on the story, although he’s set to perform two shows at the SoFi Stadium in LA this Friday – where the big game will be held –so he may well announce it there.

His wife Beyonce previously headlined in 2013 and then joined Coldplay during their set there three years later.

And I imagine he’d want her as a guest if he takes to the pitch, too.

Jenna’s looking pawsome

JENNA ORTEGA has been to London, Rome and New York in the past week and she’s had a special someone by her side the whole time – her pet pooch.

The Wednesday actress, who wore this beaded dress for the US premiere of her new film Klara And The Sun in the Big Apple on Monday, said her whippet Twigs helps her stay grounded.

Jenna, who posed for pics in New York with co-star Amy Adams and director Taika Waititi, said: “My dog follows me everywhere.

“It’s hard doing the job that I do, travelling to all of these different hotels and foreign countries, so to have something that is consistent and true, and looks after me, and I look after her, it’s nice.”

That dog must have racked up more air miles this week than I have all year.

BLUNT’S A TRAITOR FUME RESIDENTS

RESIDENTS of the London borough of Acton have dubbed James Blunt a traitor.

He filmed his new Circles music video there, but then pretended it was somewhere else.

I revealed snaps of the Celebrity Traitors star riding around on a mini tractor while shooting the video in a park last week.

But locals soon spotted James had renamed Acton’s mainline station “Battersham”, leaving them fuming.

“We thought James was going to put Acton on the map with his video,” a friend, who sent me snaps of James recording his video, told me after seeing the clip.

“It’s not Battersham, this is Acton. And we’re proud of it.”

NO DIRTY A.I TRICKS IN DANCING SEQUEL

THE producer behind the Dirty Dancing sequel insists they won’t bring back Patrick Swayze using AI.

Jennifer Grey will reprise the role of Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman and film bosses are working out how to celebrate late actor Patrick, who died in 2009.

Producer Nina Jacobson said: “That’s one of the things that you really have to focus on: how to let people mourn him in a movie. And don’t worry – we won’t be bringing him back with AI.”

She said they are “trying to chase the feeling of that original movie”.

Nina added: “Being able to tell a young love story that could take some of those risks but also inspire those feelings felt like an incredible chance for us.”

PHIL JOINS PIRATES CREW

PIRATES Of The Caribbean is being brought to life by Secret Cinema – and they’ve got a household name on board to help out.

I can reveal Phil Daniels, who starred in EastEnders, and whose voice featured in Blur’s 1994 hit Parklife, has joined the cast as Captain Barbossa.

Johnny Depp’s character Jack Sparrow will be played by Olivier Award winner George Maguire.

Pirates Of The Caribbean: The Immersive Adventure, opens in February and has already had its run extended by six weeks due to demand.

It will also be the first production by Secret Cinema –  which allows punters to watch films on the big screen while the action also unfolds around them – at its purpose-built flagship venue in London’s Greenwich.

Time to ready my sea legs.

LIAM GALLAGHER is winding up Oasis fans by claiming they’ve already finished a new album – but I’m not so sure.

Responding to someone on X who wrote: “Oasis have SEVEN great albums and those songs will LIVE FOREVER”, rocker Liam said: “8 including the new 1.”

I’ll believe it when I hear it.

FORGET simply being a pop star, Westlife’s Kian Egan can now add stylist to his CV after he helped save the day on the first night of their tour.

As Bizarre’s Jack joined the lads backstage for the first of three sell-out shows at the O2 in London, the Irish singer revealed a wardrobe error meant they were an outfit down in Dublin last month.

Kian flew into action before the first show in the Irish capital and found himself, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne leather jackets to wear on stage.

Shane said with a laugh: “We weren’t going to wear these. We only got them sorted the night before. Luckily Kian came to our rescue.”

The Westlife 25th anniversary tour will see them play 87 dates around the globe during this year and next.

Over the decades, Westlife have clocked up 14 No1 singles and eight No1 albums — an achievement Kian admits they never dreamed of when they formed in 1998.

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Reflecting on their first chart-topper Swear It Again, he said: “We had no expectations at all.

“When our first single went No1 in 1999, I kid you not, we cried. The last few years have been really good to us — we even got our own T-shirts in Primark.

“When I was 16, I was begging for a job there, but they wouldn’t give me one. Now they are selling our T-shirts.”

During the show, which was also watched by Hear’Say’s Noel Sullivan and Suzanne Shaw, Nicky celebrated his 48th birthday.

In a sweet moment, he was presented with a cake by his three children, Rocco, Jay, and Gia who came on to huge cheers from the audience.

An overwhelmed Nicky told the crowd: “It’s 25-plus years we have together now.

“It has been absolutely beyond incredible, to be honest with you.” This tour has been planned for some time.

“You might have seen some of our ideas on the screen, our childhood homes coming to life. It’s a real celebration of Westlife.

“The tour has been pretty incredible, we have all grown up with this, from friendships, to heartbreaks, to weddings, babies, some funerals, and we’re all in this together.

“We are having the time of our lives up here.”

He added: “Nobody wanted to predict it when we were 17 and 18 years of age.

“Just some lads going on stage, eventually winning MTV Europe awards, Brit Awards, World Music awards.

“It’s been absolutely insane. And to stand here on my birthday, still doing this at this level . . . 

“If this was it for us, this would be enough.”

LOVED-UP BENSON ON SONG

BENSON BOONE’s new music is pouring out of him after finding love.

The singer split from his influencer girlfriend Maggie Thurmon a year ago.

But he’s set tongues wagging that there is another special someone in his life.

Asked what’s inspiring him, he said: “Love. I feel like that’s the greatest inspiration of all time. But yeah, new love, I think, is a very beautiful feeling.

“When you first open yourself up to someone, it’s like one of the greatest things ever, to feel as a human being and to have that be accepted.

“Those feelings just very easily turn into melodies and words so easily. It comes very quickly”

Benson released his second album American Heart in June 2025, and will finally get a chance to complete a third album when he finishes his world tour next month.

He told Australia’s Kiis radio: “Before this tour, I wrote quite a lot. Then afterwards, I’m planning on continuing that. So we’ll have, next year, a substantial amount of songs.”

LANCE BASS has revealed NSYNC were pretty much “working for free” in their Nineties heyday.

He said in a new interview they got $35 a day, adding: “Our first cheque was $10,000 after years of No1 albums, sell-out tours.

“You’re like, ‘Oh, thanks’. We should be grateful for that –  been working for free for two, three years now.”

THE CHASE FOR NO1 STATUS

CHASE & STATUS are on course to land their 14th Top 40 song this Friday.

They have the highest new entry thanks to Carnage, featuring Little Simz.

The track comes from the drum and bass duo’s new album, Generic Everything, which they released on Friday.

Taylor Swift is holding tight at the top, with Patient Zero looking likely to have a third consecutive week at No1, holding off Jamie Miller’s Babydoll and Ashe’s Stop The Wedding.

JEREMY CLARKSON’s Hawkstone Farmers Choir swapped planting for partying in the video for their new single, Absolution.

The track is the latest single from the Britain’s Got Talent winners’ upcoming album This Is Home, which comes out on November 20.

A source said: “The choir loved letting loose for the video.

“It’s a celebration of downing tools and coming together.”

STEVEN KNIGHT is keen on a follow-up to his film Oasis: Don’t Look Back In Anger.

The documentary, now available to stream on Disney+ followed the band’s reunion tour last year.

In an exclusive chat at a VIP screening, Steven told me: “I believe there is another.

“There’s loads of stuff there that people would love to see. Why not?”

Hear. hear.

TAKE OFF FOR MEL’S PHOENIX

MEL B’s daughter Phoenix is the latest of the Spice Girls offspring to go into music – revealing she is planning to officially release her first tunes.

The self-taught DJ has been playing gigs for a while and has now announced she’s been working on original tracks.

Phoenix, whose dad is Dutch dancer Jimmy Gulzar, said on TikTok: “Been in the studio all summer working on music and I’m finally ready to start sharing it with you guys.

“So nervous but so excited for you to hear what I’ve been working on.”

Phoenix is expected to drop the first of the dance music tracks in the coming weeks, after fans praised her over a snippet she shared online.

While it will be her first proper single, she did get a taste for fame 25 years ago, appearing in the video to her mum’s solo single Lullaby, which was written about her birth.

Victoria Beckham’s son Cruz has so far been the most successful of the Spice babies, touring across the globe and releasing his Wear & Tear EP in August.

Meanwhile, Geri Halliwell-Horner’s daughter Bluebell has performed a handful of intimate shows as she dipped her toe in the water.

DUNC: AXE A DRAG

DUNCAN JAMES has blasted the BBC for dropping RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.

In an exclusive chat, the Blue singer, who came out in 2012, talked about his personal disappointment over the axe, saying: “The BBC has always been about showing inclusivity and showing things for all ages and all genders and all humans.

“I feel we are almost being hidden away again. It’s a huge shame because it was great for the BBC to have something so inclusive.”

Looking to the future, Duncan is preparing to spread some light and laughter as he heads out on the road as part of a new supergroup.

Appearing in All Stars – The Music Of Abba, Duncan will join his bandmate Antony Costa, as well as Samantha Mumba and Una Healy for a UK tour celebrating the Swedish group’s hits.

The tour will kick off at Fairfield Halls in Croydon on February 26 before wrapping up at Southampton’s Mayflower on April 11. Tickets are on sale now.

Duncan said: “I get to dress up in all the sparkles and all the glitz and glamour and just have a fabulous time. The last year with Blue, has been so full on with the 25th anniversary, and we’ve worked so hard.

“It’s been wonderful. But at the same time, it’s always really nice to just have a little break mentally from Blue and go into something else.”

Suki a groover and shaker

SUKI WATERHOUSE continued her love affair with Oasis at the Austin City Limits music festival.

She channelled her inner Liam Gallagher after putting on an Adidas vest and waving a tambourine during her set, just like the rocker.

Suki is a massive fan of Noel and Liam, and has previously covered Don’t Look Back In Anger during her live music sets.

I’ve no doubt Suki and her fiancé Robert Pattinson will also be on the brothers’ live tour next year, after they were spotted down the front at Wembley Stadium during their reunion shows last summer.

THEY rose to fame in the Noughties with No1 hit Pure And Simple.

Now, 25 years on, I can reveal that Hear’Say are reuniting for a huge reunion tour to celebrate the milestone.

The group formed on ITV reality television show Popstars and debuted in 2001.

Band members Kym Marsh, Myleene Klass, Suzanne Shaw, Noel Sullivan and Danny Foster split two years later after a couple of No1 singles and a chart-topping album.

But my sources tell me that I’m A Celebrity star Myleene will not be joining the reunion due to a schedule clash with her other commitments.

A source said: “The group have been asked multiple times over the years about a reunion but it was never the right time.

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“The 25th anniversary feels like a special moment to celebrate the success of the band and give something back to their fans. Myleene was invited but their diaries did not align.”

The band set tongues wagging this week as they reignited an Instagram page to tease their tour.

They posted a screen recording of a WhatsApp conversation between them, with Danny writing: “Wow . . . can you believe the response to that tour clip we posted?!”, referencing a video they had shared of an old performance. Suzanne replied: “I know right, amazing! Ahhh the memories . . . can you believe it was 25 years ago?!”

Noel said: “OK, so hear me out . . . ” Kym urged: “Go on,” before Noel added: “Fancy getting the band back together?”

Fans spotted how Myleene was included as a member of the group chat but her Instagram was not tagged and she did not send a message.

Myleene previously ruled out reuniting, saying: “If I go backwards, I won’t know who I am.

“I hope it works. I will be cheering the loudest.”

BIZ on Sunday is giving away two tickets to see Westlife in Birmingham this month.

The prize is for Westlife 25: The Anniversary World Tour on Saturday, October 17, at the Utilita Arena.

For your chance to win, email sundayfeatures@the-sun.co.uk and quote “Westlife” with your name, telephone number, email address and postal address.

Entries close at 11.59pm on Monday, October 5. T&Cs apply and can be found at thesun.co.uk.

GOLDEN CURL SABRINA

SABRINA CARPENTER shows off her golden locks in a new 1960s-themed haircare advert.

The Manchild hitmaker posed in a butter yellow mini dress to match her lush curls for the clip.

Sabrina, who is a global ambassador for Redken, said it is a “dream” to work with the brand.

She added: “Beauty, and especially my hair, is a big part of my identity.”

SHARON’S M25 ‘IRELAND’

Catastrophe star Sharon Horgan has landed a £250,000 payday to become the face of an airline.

The Irish actress filmed an ad for Ireland’s Aer Lingus to show off the beauty of the Emerald Isle – but eagle-eyed fans may notice it was set just a stone’s throw from the M25 in London.

I can reveal filming took place in Surrey’s Virginia Water, which boasts a lake, 30-foot waterfall and tree-lined pathways.

A source said: “Virginia Water is the backdrop, which gives the illusion of Ireland’s stunning scenery. It is an odd decision given how close Virginia Water is to London Heathrow.

“They could have jetted over to Ireland in less than an hour to film the advert there.”

Virginia Water is at the edge of Windsor Great Park, which is managed by The Crown Estate.

Sounds like a right royal mix up.

CHRIS’S BIG STORY ENDING

HIT drama Small Town, Big Story will not be back for a second series.

The show, which featured Mad Men actress Christina Hendricks, was a big success for Sky Atlantic when it aired last year.

But Irish actor and comedian Chris O’Dowd who created the show, says he’s too busy to make more.

At the opening night of play Hay Fever in the West End, he told me: “Getting everybody together is tricky with such a strong cast.”

He is now focusing on other projects, adding: “I’m going to be writing something else.

“I want to do more stuff in Ireland. All will be revealed.”

MICAH & GINGE LINING UP

ANGRY GINGE and Micah Richards are set to become the new Ant and Dec after filming a pilot for a Netflix gameshow called The Line.

The hilarious programme focuses on our love of queuing and sees contestants compete to win a cash prize of £250,000.

It’s set to be one of Angry Ginge’s biggest TV gigs since he won I’m A Celeb last year.

A source said: “The duo had so much fun filming and are hoping the show gets greenlit for a series.”

I hope content creators the Bov Boys don’t mind Micah nicking their head honcho.

LOUIS MANE ATTRACTION AFTER SPLIT

FORMER Olympic gymnast Louis Smith has signed up for dating app Hinge.

It comes after I revealed that the 2012 Strictly champion had split from jazz dancer Charlie Bruce.

On the app, Louis has revealed that he is Christian and is looking for monogamy.

He has also included a snap of him in his Carwash costume on ITV show The Masked Dancer, which he won in 2021.

A source said: “Louis and Charlie are focused on co-parenting their young daughters.

“Louis signed up for the app when he felt the time was right and is hoping to find new connections.”

Louis also made a flirty reference on Hinge to his skills on the pommel horse, which earned him three Olympic medals during his sporting career.

A note on his profile says: “Dating me is like . . . Riding a wild horse but on the world’s most comfortable saddle.”

Sounds like Louis is cantering into the dating pool.

DEJA VU have been given the seal of approval from The Pussycat Dolls.

Nicole Scherzinger has invited the girls to join her group on the European dates of their PCD Forever tour.

Deja Vu reached the semi-finals of The Voice in 2023.

Carolina said: “It still feels like a dream.”

ROCHELLE IS PERFECT MATCHA

ROCHELLE HUMES looked like the cat who got the cream as she launched her new venture.

Holding what appears to be an iced matcha, the ex-Saturdays singer wore a trench coat and matching top to promote beauty brand Eulah.

The “cashmere coconut lip blanket” is my fave.