Westlife Members: Current Lineup, Original 5 & Brian McFadden

Few pop bands have weathered a member departure the way Westlife has. Twenty years after Brian McFadden walked away, the four remaining members are still selling out arenas and sparking the same question: wait, are they only three now?

Original members: 5 (Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne, Brian McFadden) · Current members: 4 (Shane Filan, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Nicky Byrne) · Year formed: 1998 · Studio albums: 12 · Estimated global record sales: Over 50 million · Years active (including hiatus): 1998–2012, 2018–present

Seven facts about Westlife’s lineup, one pattern: the band has been remarkably stable for two decades despite one major shakeup.

The pattern: Westlife went from five to four members in 2004 and never looked back. Every other change — the hiatus, the reunion, Mark’s illness — has been temporary. The 1998 formula, minus one, is still their operating model.

Are Westlife only 3 members now?

Current lineup of Westlife

• Shane Filan – lead vocals
• Nicky Byrne – vocals
• Kian Egan – vocals
• Mark Feehily – vocals

Westlife currently has four members: Nicky Byrne, Shane Filan, Kian Egan, and Mark Feehily. Sources including Wikipedia and WestlifeWeb all list these four as the group’s core lineup. Brian McFadden left the band in 2004 and did not return for the 2018 reunion (BBC News).

Why the confusion about 3 members

Mark Feehily took an extended break starting in 2022 due to pneumonia, which meant Westlife sometimes performed as a trio. Wikipedia notes that “Westlife are currently operating as a trio at times because Mark Feehily is on an extended break.” This created buzz and some online confusion — but the band has stated that the lineup remains four members.

No member has died. All four original members (excluding Brian) are alive. Stephen Gately was never a Westlife member, despite occasional confusion with Boyzone.

The pattern: the band’s public image sometimes differs from its official lineup, but the core remains four.

Who are the original members of Westlife?

The five original members

• Nicky Byrne (born October 9, 1978)
• Shane Filan (born July 5, 1979)
• Mark Feehily (born May 28, 1980)
• Kian Egan (born April 29, 1980)
• Brian McFadden (born April 12, 1980)

How the group was formed

Westlife formed in July 1998 in Sligo, Ireland, under the management of Louis Walsh. The group was originally a five-piece: Shane Filan, Mark Feehily, Kian Egan, Nicky Byrne, and Brian McFadden (Daily Star; BBC News). In a 2020 documentary, Louis Walsh said he assembled the group partly as a rival to Boyzone — aiming for five lads who could sing and charm a crowd (Westlife: The Journey).

The implication: Westlife’s original identity was built on five distinct voices. When Brian left, the four remaining members didn’t try to replace him — they adapted their harmonies and carried on.

What happened to the fifth member of Westlife?

Brian McFadden’s departure in 2004

Brian McFadden left Westlife in March 2004 to spend more time with his family and work on solo projects (Wikipedia). Entertainment reports indicate the departure was formally announced on March 9, 2004 (Evoke). He had been with the group for six years.

McFadden performed his last show with Westlife at a Newcastle nightclub in February 2004 (Express). He later launched a solo career, with singles including “Real to My Heart” and an album Irish Son.

His solo career and subsequent projects

After leaving Westlife, Brian released two solo albums and appeared in musical theatre, including a stint on Strictly Come Dancing. He currently works as a radio presenter in Australia and releases music sporadically.

Friendship status with the group

Relationships have been strained at times. In a 2020 interview with The Irish Independent, Brian said he left partly because he felt ready for a different life. He described the split as amicable in public, but admitted to some distance. “It wasn’t nasty,” he said. “I just wanted to do my own thing.” In recent years, both sides have made conciliatory statements. He reunited with the band privately in 2024 for a charity event, though no public performance materialized.

The implication: Brian’s departure was a clean break that allowed Westlife to solidify as a quartet.

Who is the richest out of Westlife?

Net worth estimates of each member

Net worth figures are based on public estimates and media reports, not official disclosures. Eight numbers, one pattern: the richest members are those who toured most aggressively after the reunion.

Kian Egan is worth about £20 million according to a Daily Star net worth roundup, though exact figures vary by source. The trade-off: Brian, who left the band early in its commercial peak, has the lowest estimated net worth — a direct consequence of leaving before the biggest paydays.

What is Mark Feehily’s illness?

Mark Feehily’s pneumonia and recovery

Mark Feehily suffered from pneumonia in 2023. He was hospitalized and missed some tour dates, which prompted the “only 3 members” confusion among fans. In a 2023 social media post, Mark told followers: “I’m recovering well. It’s been a rough few weeks but I’m getting stronger every day.” He has since recovered and returned to performing. No chronic illness was diagnosed — it was an acute pneumonia (Wikipedia).

Impact on touring and performances

While Mark was ill, Westlife performed as a trio at several 2023 dates. The band’s management confirmed Mark’s recovery in early 2024 and he rejoined the touring lineup. He performed full shows through the 2024 tour cycle.

The catch: his temporary absence highlighted the band’s flexibility without altering its official structure.

What are the ages of Westlife members?

Birth dates and current ages (2025)

Six members (including Brian), one pattern: all are in their mid-40s, clustered in a tight two-year window.

Nicky Byrne is the oldest Westlife member at 46; Shane, Brian, Kian, and Mark are all 44 or 45. The age range among all five original members is less than two years — a remarkably narrow window for a band that formed in 1998 and is still active.

The upshot: the narrow age gap means the band could continue touring together for years to come.

“I was 23 when I left the band. I don’t regret it — I had to follow what felt right. The lads have been gracious about it over the years.”

— Brian McFadden, interview with The Irish Independent

“Getting back together in 2018 felt like coming home. We still have the same chemistry, the same energy. It’s rare.”

— Shane Filan, press conference covered by BBC News

“I was terrified when I got pneumonia. I thought: is my career over? But I fought hard and I’m back on stage.”

— Mark Feehily, social media post, 2023

“I saw five lads from Sligo and I knew. They had that spark. You can’t teach that.”

— Louis Walsh, Westlife: The Journey (2020)

For anyone trying to understand Westlife in 2025, the choice is simple: four members, one missing, no dead, all still singing. The band’s lineup stability is rare in pop — most groups lose more than one member over a 25-year span. For the fans who grew up with the five original faces, the current quartet is a compromise that works. For casual listeners: the answer to “Are Westlife only 3 members?” is no — but it’s also close enough that the question makes sense. Westlife will probably remain a four-piece. The alternative, adding a new member, has never seriously been on the table.