Westlife to split up

Westlife are splitting up after a final tour together next year. The Irish pop band have been together for 13 years, had 14 UK Number One hits, and sold more than 44 million albums.

They explained their decision to split up on their website, on which they wrote, "Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family. After spending all of our adult life together, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures."

In 2004 Bryan McFadden left the band, which is now made up of Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Shane Filan and Nicky Byrne. The boys are releasing a greatest hits album on 21 November but have yet to give details of their final tour.