Disbands

They are the chart-topping Irish boyband who have delighted fans for the past 14 years.

They said: 'After 14 years, 26 top ten hits including 14 number one singles, 11 top 5 albums, 7 of which hit the top spot and have collectively sold over 44 million copies around the world, 10 sell-out tours and countless memories that we will forever cherish, we today announce our plan to go our separate ways after a greatest hits collection this Christmas and a farewell tour next year. 

'The decision is entirely amicable and after spending all of our adult life together so far, we want to have a well-earned break and look at new ventures.'

                          The boys with their manager Louis Walsh in 2004

The quartet added that they believe their greatest hits album, due for release this Christmas, is the perfect way to say goodbye to their fans. 

They said: 'We see the greatest hits collection and the farewell tour as the perfect way to celebrate our incredible career along with our fans. We are really looking forward to getting out on the tour and seeing our fans one last time.

'Over the years Westlife has become so much more to us than just a band. Westlife are a family.  We would like to thank our fans who have been with us on this amazing journey and are part of our family too.

'We never imagined when we started out in 1998 that 14 years later we would still be recording, touring and having hits together. 

'It has been a dream come true for all of us.'

          As they were: The boys, with former bandmate Brian McFadden, back in 2000

It appeared Westlife – whose members are estimated to be worth £10million each – were close to disbanding in when they split with label boss Simon Cowell after 13 years. Instead, they signed a one-year deal with RCA Records for their Greatest Hits album. 

At the time, Byrne blamed Cowell’s interest in The X Factor for their decision to leave his Sony/BMG label. 

He said: ‘We signed to Simon back in 1998 and he was brilliant, but then  came the development of X Factor and American Idol. Simon became famous himself and his interests went that way rather than on Westlife. We almost felt a little bit unloved with Simon Cowell.’ 

Westlife first came to fame in 1998, along with former bandmate Brian McFadden who left the group in 2004.

During their long career, they accumulated a staggering 14 number one singles - the third-highest in UK history along with Cliff Richard.

They have ten studio albums under their belts, as well as a Greatest Hits album released back in 2002, and their upcoming compilation record due for release on November 21.

Westlife's most famous singles include ballads such as Flying Without Wings and If I Let You Go, as well as uptempo tracks such as their cover of Uptown Girl. 

Many of their big hits over the years were cover versions and they capitalised on a swing revival by recording a Rat Pack-style album Allow Us To Be Frank.

It was claimed in a report this morning that Shane, 32, is planning to embark on a solo career while Mark, 31, is also hoping to use his talent to write songs for other artists in the industry.

According to The Sun, Nicky, 33, is hoping to venture into the radio DJing world, while Kian, who is set to welcome his first child with wife Jodi Albert later this year, is looking for more television opportunities.